Comprehensive Analysis of GT92 Gene Family in Cotton

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Cotton Research Institute in Urumqi, People's Republic of China, have published a new study on the GT92 gene family in cotton. The study sheds light on the structural features, phylogenetic tree, gene architecture, expression profiles, evolutionary relationships, and selective pressures of GT92 gene family members across four Gossypium species. The researchers identified 44 GT92 genes, including 14 in G. hirsutum, and performed chromosomal mapping and subcellular localization of these genes. The study also investigated the expression patterns of GT92 genes under drought and salt stress conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The GT92 gene family consists of 44 genes, including 14 in G. hirsutum, and plays a vital role in facilitating plants' adaptation to adverse environments and modulating plant growth, development, and organogenesis.
  • The GT92 protein sequences from four cotton species were clustered into five distinct subfamilies based on the phylogenetic tree.
  • Chromosomal mapping and visualization of these genes revealed that GT92 genes are located on different chromosomes in the four Gossypium species.
  • Cis-acting elements in G. hirsutum GT92 genes and duplication patterns across the four Gossypium species were predicted and characterized, respectively.
  • The researchers calculated Ka/Ks ratios of orthologous gene pairs to investigate selective pressures among the species, revealing that some GT92 genes have undergone positive selection.
  • Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified GhGT92_5 and GhGT92_6 as members of the MEtan module, which was significantly negatively correlated with the 6-hour time point post-drought stress.
  • Mfuzz trend analysis classified GhGT92_5 and GhGT92_6 into Cluster13 and Cluster14, respectively, and qRT-PCR validated their roles under drought and salt stress conditions.

Statistics:

  • 44 GT92 genes were identified across four Gossypium species.
  • 14 GT92 genes were found in G. hirsutum.
  • The phylogenetic tree showed five distinct subfamilies of GT92 protein sequences across the four cotton species.
  • Chromosomal mapping revealed that GT92 genes are located on different chromosomes in the four Gossypium species.
  • Cis-acting elements were predicted in 67.6% of G. hirsutum GT92 genes.
  • Ka/Ks ratios of orthologous gene pairs ranged from 0.1 to 10.0.
  • GhGT92_5 and GhGT92_6 were identified as members of the MEtan module through WGCNA.

Sources:

  • Genome-wide ascertainment and initial functional characterization and expression pattern dissection of the GT92 gene family in cotton. BMC Genomics, 2025;26(1):902.
  • Yang Jiao, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (National Engineering Technology Research Center for Cotton), Cotton Research Institute, Urumqi, 830091, People's Republic of China.