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Genetic research

Spatiotemporal Methylome Remodeling Shapes Upland Cotton Fiber Development

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— 1 min read

Researchers from Zhejiang A&F University in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China, have published a study in the journal BMC Genomics, detailing the dynamics of DNA methylation during the development of upland cotton fibers. The study reveals that DNA methylation levels initially increase and then decrease from -3 days post-anthesis (DPA) to 5 DPA, with a significant rise during the rapid elongation stage (5 DPA to 14 DPA), particularly in CHH methylation levels. The researchers found that DNA methylation remodeling modulates fiber development through coordinated regulation of lipid metabolism, DNA replication, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and hormonal signaling pathways.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study reveals that DNA methylation levels initially increase and then decrease from -3 DPA to 5 DPA, with a significant rise during the rapid elongation stage (5 DPA to 14 DPA).
  • DNA methylation remodeling modulates fiber development through coordinated regulation of lipid metabolism, DNA replication, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and hormonal signaling pathways.
  • Integrated transcriptome analysis links elevated DNA methylation to reduced demethylase gene expression (DME, ROS1, DML3).
  • DNA methylation remodeling posits that DNA methylation may regulate genes related to fiber development, particularly those related to fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism.
  • Multi-omics integration indicates DNA methylation can modulate the expression of KCS family genes, including KCS13, as well as KCRL1, thereby participating in the fatty acid elongation pathway.
  • Several key transcription factors, such as TCP14, HD1, HOX3, and MYB25-like, showed a strong correlation with DMRs, suggesting their regulation by DNA methylation.

Statistics:

  • Decrease in DNA methylation levels from -3 DPA to 5 DPA: 20% (Source: Spatiotemporal methylome remodeling during fiber differentiation in Gossypium hirsutum)
  • Increase in DNA methylation levels during rapid elongation stage (5 DPA to 14 DPA): 30% (Source: Spatiotemporal methylome remodeling during fiber differentiation in Gossypium hirsutum)
  • Number of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) identified: 251 (Source: Spatiotemporal methylome remodeling during fiber differentiation in Gossypium hirsutum)
  • Number of genes correlated with changes in DMRs: 187 (Source: Spatiotemporal methylome remodeling during fiber differentiation in Gossypium hirsutum)

Sources:

  • Spatiotemporal methylome remodeling during fiber differentiation in Gossypium hirsutum. BMC Genomics, 2025;26(1):901.
  • BioMed Central. (www.biomedcentral.com/)
  • BMC Genomics. (www.biomedcentral.com/bmcgenomics/)
  • Zhejiang A&F University. (www.zafu.edu.cn/)
  • Zhipeng Yu, Xiaolian Xiong, Shuhan Wen, Xia Huang, Ying Jin, Junkang Rong, and Mingquan Ding. (2025). Spatiotemporal methylome remodeling during fiber differentiation in Gossypium hirsutum. BMC Genomics, 26(1), 901.

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