Unveiling the Role of <i>GhP5CS1</i> in Cotton Salt Stress Tolerance: A Comprehensive Genomic and Functional Analysis of <i>P5CS</i> Genes
Proline, a critical osmoregulatory compound, is integral to various plant stress responses. The <i>P5CS</i> gene, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in proline biosynthesis, known as ∆1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, is fundamental to these stress response pathways. While the fu...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/231 |
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| Summary: | Proline, a critical osmoregulatory compound, is integral to various plant stress responses. The <i>P5CS</i> gene, which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in proline biosynthesis, known as ∆1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, is fundamental to these stress response pathways. While the functions of <i>P5CS</i> genes in plants have been extensively documented, their specific roles in cotton remain inadequately characterized. In this study, we identified 40 <i>P5CS</i> genes across four cotton species with diverse sequence lengths and molecular weights. Phylogenetic analysis of 100 <i>P5CS</i> genes from nine species revealed three subgroups, with <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> closely related to <i>Gossypium barbadense</i>. Collinearity analysis highlighted significant differences in collinear gene pairs, indicating evolutionary divergence among <i>P5CS</i> genes in tetraploid and diploid cotton. Exon–intron structures and conserved motifs correlated with phylogenetic relationships, suggesting functional differentiation. Stress-responsive elements in <i>P5CS</i> promoters suggest involvement in abiotic stress. Expression analysis under salt stress revealed differential expressions of <i>GhP5CS</i> genes, with <i>GhP5CS1</i> emerging as a potential key regulator. Virus-induced gene silencing confirmed the pivotal role of <i>GhP5CS1</i> in cotton’s salt stress response, as evidenced by increased salt sensitivity in the silenced plants. This study enhances our understanding of the functional diversity and roles of <i>P5CS</i> genes in cotton under stress conditions. |
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| ISSN: | 2223-7747 |