Functional analysis of the BIN 2 genes of cotton

Brassinosteroids (BR) promote the elongation of cotton fibers and may be a factor in determining their final length. To begin to understand the role of BR-mediated responses in the development of cotton fibers we have characterized the BIN 2 genes of cotton. BIN 2 is a member of the shaggy-like protein kinase family that has been identified as a negative regulator of BR signaling in Arabidopsis. Sequence analyses indicate that the tetraploid cotton genome includes four genes with strong sequence similarity to BIN 2. These genes fall into two distinct subclasses based on sequence and expression patterns. Sequence comparisons with corresponding genes from cotton species that have the diploid A and D genomes, respectively, shows that each pair of genes comprises homeologs derived from the A and D sub-genomes. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants that express these cotton BIN 2 cDNAs show reduced growth and similar phenotypes to the semi-dominant bin 2 mutant plants. These results indicate that the cotton BIN 2 genes encode functional BIN 2 isoforms that can inhibit BR signaling. Further analyses of the function of BIN 2 genes and their possible roles in determining fiber yield and quality are underway.