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Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Agrobacterium-Mediated Virus-Induced Gene Silencing Assay In Cotton
Published on: August 20, 2011
MIXTAs and phytohormones orchestrate cotton fiber development
1Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 310029 Zhejiang, PR China; National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
Abstract:
Cotton is the largest source of natural fiber for textile industry in the world. Cotton fibers are seed trichomes that make cotton unique among plants. Cotton fibers originate from ovule epidermal cells and serve as an excellent model to study the process of cell differentiation in plants. Characterization of factors contributing to fiber development will help to reveal general mechanisms of cell differentiation in plants. Transcription factors (TFs), especially MYB-MIXTA-like (MML) factors, appear to have evolved unique roles in fiber development. In addition, phytohormones including brassinosteroids, jasmonic acid, GA and auxin also play an important role in regulating fiber development. Here, we summarize the mechanisms of MIXTAs and phytohormones orchestrating cotton fiber development. The progress in understanding molecular basis of fiber development will facilitate future genetic engineering and breeding to improve cotton fiber quality and yield.
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