AUTHOR=Wang Heng , Umer Muhammad Jawad , Liu Fang , Cai Xiaoyan , Zheng Jie , Xu Yanchao , Hou Yuqing , Zhou Zhongli 

TITLE=Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of CPR5 Genes in Gossypium Reveals Their Potential Role in Trichome Development

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.921096

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2022.921096

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>Trichomes protect plants against insects, microbes, herbivores, and abiotic damages and assist seed dispersal. The function of <italic>CPR5</italic> genes have been found to be involved in the trichome development but the research on the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms are extremely limited. Herein, genome wide identification and characterization of <italic>CPR5</italic> genes was performed. In total, 26 <italic>CPR5</italic> family members were identified in Gossypium species. Phylogenetic analysis, structural characteristics, and synteny analysis of <italic>CPR5</italic>s showed the conserved evolution relationships of <italic>CPR5</italic>. The promoter analysis of <italic>CPR5</italic> genes revealed hormone, stress, and development-related cis-elements. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that the <italic>CPR5</italic> genes were largely related to biological regulation, developmental process, multicellular organismal process. Protein-protein interaction analysis predicted several trichome development related proteins (SIM, LGO, and GRL) directly interacting with <italic>CPR5</italic> genes. Further, nine putative <italic>Gossypium</italic>-miRNAs were also identified, targeting <italic>Gossypium CPR5</italic> genes. RNA-Seq data of <italic>G. arboreum</italic> (with trichomes) and <italic>G. herbaceum</italic> (with no trichomes) was used to perform the co-expression network analysis. <italic>GheCPR5.1</italic> was identified as a hub gene in a co-expression network analysis. RT-qPCR of <italic>GheCPR5.1</italic> gene in different tissues suggests that this gene has higher expressions in the petiole and might be a key candidate involved in the trichome development. Virus induced gene silencing of <italic>GheCPR5.1 (Ghe02G17590)</italic> confirms its role in trichome development and elongation. Current results provide proofs of the possible role of <italic>CPR5</italic> genes and provide preliminary information for further studies of <italic>GheCPR5.1</italic> functions in trichome development.</p>