An insight into the gene expression evolution in Gossypium species based on the leaf transcriptomes

Area of Science:

• Plant genomics
• Evolutionary biology
• Transcriptomics

Background:

• Gene expression patterns link phenotype and function, crucial for understanding species evolution.
• The genus Gossypium is a key model for studying plant evolution and polyploidization.
• Limited research exists on gene expression evolution during cotton species divergence.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze transcriptomic content and expression patterns across eight cotton species (six diploids, two tetraploids).
• Investigate gene expression variation and its association with cotton species divergence.
• Identify genes and pathways involved in adaptation to diverse environments.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptome analysis of seedling leaves from eight Gossypium species.
• Comparative analysis of transcriptomic content and expression patterns.
• Analysis of expression distances and selection pressures on gene pathways.

Main Results:

• Cotton transcriptomes show largely conserved biological functions but significant content variation during divergence.
• G. arboreum is supported as a substitute for the A-genome donor in natural cotton polyploids.
• Stress-responsive pathways (hormone signaling, fatty acid degradation, flavonoid biosynthesis) evolved under lower selection pressures, aiding environmental adaptation.

Conclusions:

• This study offers insights into gene expression variation and its link to cotton species evolution.
• Identified essential genes/pathways associated with cotton species evolution.
• Characterizing genes under varying selection pressures provides a new strategy for gene function exploration.