Open Access

ARTICLE

Transcriptome analysis combined with metabolome analysis reveals the significant functions of CesA genes in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fiber length development

by ZHENKUI CUI^1,#,*, GUIQIN SUN^2,#,*, QUANZHI ZHAO¹

1 College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
2 Jiangxi Agricultural Engineering Vocational College, Zhangshu, 331200, China

* Corresponding Authors: ZHENKUI CUI. Email: ; GUIQIN SUN. Email:
# Zhenkui Cui and Guiqin Sun contributed equally to this work

BIOCELL 2022, 46(9), 2133-2144. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2022.020512

Received 28 November 2021; Accepted 17 January 2022; Issue published 18 May 2022

Abstract

Cotton is widely distributed worldwide, and improving the quality of its fiber is one of the most important tasks in cotton breeding. Cotton fibers are primarily composed of cellulose, which is synthesized by CesA complexes (CSCs). However, the functions of CesA genes in cotton fiber development have not been comprehensively analysed. In this study, the cotton transcriptome and metabolome were used to investigate the function of CesA genes in fiber development. Finally, 321 metabolites were obtained, 84 of which were associated with the corresponding genes. Interestingly, a target gene named Gh_A08G144300, one of the CesA gene family members, was closely correlated with the development of cotton fibers. The target CesA gene Gh_A08G144300 was analysed to determine its specific function in cotton fiber development. High-level gene expression of Gh_A08G144300 was found at different fiber development stages by RNA-seq analysis, and the silencing of Gh_A08G144300 visibly inhibited the growth of cotton fibers, showing that it is critical for their growth. This study provides an important reference for research on the gene function of Gh_A08G144300 and the regulatory mechanism of fiber development in cotton.

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Keywords

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material File

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