Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Genes in Reveals Their Potential Role in Trichome Development.

Trichomes protect plants against insects, microbes, herbivores, and abiotic damages and assist seed dispersal. The function of 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 genes was performed. In total, 26 family members were identified in Gossypium species. Phylogenetic analysis, structural characteristics, and synteny analysis of s showed the conserved evolution relationships of . The promoter analysis of genes revealed hormone, stress, and development-related cis-elements. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that the 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 genes. Further, nine putative -miRNAs were also identified, targeting genes. RNA-Seq data of (with trichomes) and (with no trichomes) was used to perform the co-expression network analysis. was identified as a hub gene in a co-expression network analysis. RT-qPCR of 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 confirms its role in trichome development and elongation. Current results provide proofs of the possible role of genes and provide preliminary information for further studies of functions in trichome development.