Abstract
The nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related 1 (NPR1) family plays diverse roles in gene regulation in the defense and development signaling pathways in plants. Less evidence is available regarding the significance of the NPR1-like gene family in cotton (Gossypium species). Therefore, to address the importance of the cotton NPR1-like gene family in the defense pathway, four Gossypium species were studied: two tetraploid species, G. hirsutum and G. barbadense, and their two potential ancestral diploids, G. raimondii and G. arboreum. In this study, 12 NPR1-like family genes in G. hirsutum were recognized, including six genes in the A-subgenome and six genes in the D-subgenome. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, gene and protein structural features, cotton NPR-like proteins were grouped into three different clades. Our analysis suggests the significance of cis-regulatory elements in the upstream region of cotton NPR1-like genes in hormonal signaling, biotic stress conditions, and developmental processes. The quantitative expression analysis for different developmental tissues and fiber stages (0 to 25 days post-anthesis), as well as salicylic acid induction, confirmed the distinct function of different cotton NPR genes in defense and fiber development. Altogether, this study presents specifications of conservation in the cotton NPR1-like gene family and their functional divergence for development of fiber and defense properties.
Highlights
The sessile nature of plants makes them susceptible to sporadicity in environmental and biotic stresses
Six Arabidopsis NPR (AtNPR1-6) protein sequences were used as queries in the BLASTP protein database for genomes of two allotetraploid cotton species, G. hirsutum, and G. barbadense, and their two diploid ancestors, G. arboreum and G. ramondii (Table 1, Table S2)
Twelve putative nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related 1 (NPR1)-like genes were identified in both allotetraploids G. hirsutum and G. barbadense, whereas five and six NPR1-like genes were identified in diploids G. arboreum and G. ramondii, respectively
Summary
The sessile nature of plants makes them susceptible to sporadicity in environmental and biotic stresses. Screening of Arabidopsis mutants that are dysfunctional in mounting salicylic acid-mediated defense response leads to the identification of a master regulator of the SAR pathway, NPR1 (nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related 1) [5]. An alternative application could be exploration of inherent or induced disease-resistant mechanisms in cotton, for example, demystifying the NPR1-like gene family of the SAR pathway, which would be an essential advantage for providing resistance against pathogen infestation [30]. This study will provide an essential source for utilizing the NPR1-like genes in cotton for developing inherent resistance or tolerance against pathogens, and will eventually help us in developing higher fiber yielding varieties, an important asset for the cotton industry
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