Scholarlink

<p>Phytosulfokines (PSKs) are plant-secreted peptides that undergo post-translational modifications and play essential roles in regulating plant development, immune responses, and regeneration. However, their presence and functional roles in cotton remain largely unexplored, particularly regarding their involvement in stress responses. In this study, we identified 28, 31, 15, and 15 <i>PSK</i> genes in tetraploid <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> (<i>G. hirsutum</i>) and <i>Gossypium barbadense</i> (<i>G. barbadense</i>), as well as diploid <i>Gossypium arboreum</i> (<i>G. arboreum</i>) and <i>Gossypium raimondii</i> (<i>G. raimondii</i>), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis classified these cotton <i>PSK</i> genes into three distinct subgroups. A comprehensive investigation was conducted on protein characteristics, gene structure, conserved motifs, chromosomal localization, cis-regulatory elements, and expression patterns of the cotton <i>PSK</i> gene family. Collinearity analysis suggested that whole-genome duplication (WGD) events have played a pivotal role in the expansion and diversification of <i>PSK</i> genes in cotton. Furthermore, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of <i>GhPSK22</i> and <i>GhPSK25</i> under cold stress revealed that these genes function as positive regulators in the cold stress response. Exogenous application of the mature PSK-α peptide, derived from <i>GhPSK</i> precursors, significantly enhanced cold tolerance in cotton. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses further demonstrated that PSK-α modulates genes involved in DNA-binding transcription factor activity, Plant hormone signal transduction and the MAPK cascade, thereby enhancing cold tolerance in <i>G. hirsutum</i>. Collectively, our findings provide the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the PSK gene family in cotton, revealing that whole-genome duplication contributed to its expansion. Functional characterization demonstrates that <i>GhPSK22</i> and <i>GhPSK25</i>, along with exogenous PSK-α application, enhance cold tolerance by activating transcription factors, hormone signaling, and the MAPK cascade. These results suggest the promising potential of PSK-α as an environmentally friendly biostimulant to enhance cold resistance in cotton and possibly other crops under field conditions.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Characterization of phytosulfokine peptide family in cotton and its role in cold stress response

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月13日

查看全文
  • Shuaiqi Lu,
  • Julan Yang,
  • Yuguo Li,
  • Fei Xiao

摘要

Phytosulfokines (PSKs) are plant-secreted peptides that undergo post-translational modifications and play essential roles in regulating plant development, immune responses, and regeneration. However, their presence and functional roles in cotton remain largely unexplored, particularly regarding their involvement in stress responses. In this study, we identified 28, 31, 15, and 15 PSK genes in tetraploid Gossypium hirsutum (G. hirsutum) and Gossypium barbadense (G. barbadense), as well as diploid Gossypium arboreum (G. arboreum) and Gossypium raimondii (G. raimondii), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis classified these cotton PSK genes into three distinct subgroups. A comprehensive investigation was conducted on protein characteristics, gene structure, conserved motifs, chromosomal localization, cis-regulatory elements, and expression patterns of the cotton PSK gene family. Collinearity analysis suggested that whole-genome duplication (WGD) events have played a pivotal role in the expansion and diversification of PSK genes in cotton. Furthermore, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of GhPSK22 and GhPSK25 under cold stress revealed that these genes function as positive regulators in the cold stress response. Exogenous application of the mature PSK-α peptide, derived from GhPSK precursors, significantly enhanced cold tolerance in cotton. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses further demonstrated that PSK-α modulates genes involved in DNA-binding transcription factor activity, Plant hormone signal transduction and the MAPK cascade, thereby enhancing cold tolerance in G. hirsutum. Collectively, our findings provide the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the PSK gene family in cotton, revealing that whole-genome duplication contributed to its expansion. Functional characterization demonstrates that GhPSK22 and GhPSK25, along with exogenous PSK-α application, enhance cold tolerance by activating transcription factors, hormone signaling, and the MAPK cascade. These results suggest the promising potential of PSK-α as an environmentally friendly biostimulant to enhance cold resistance in cotton and possibly other crops under field conditions.