Identification of key proteins related to high-quality fiber in Upland cotton via proteomics analysis

Key message The dynamics of cotton fiber elongation and microfibirl deposition orientation were delineated; advanced ethylene synthesis and redox reaction homeostasis may be crucial for high-quality fiber formation. Abstract Fiber length, strength, and fineness determine the use and commercial value of cotton fiber, but their underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. We compared the dynamic change trajectories of length, diameter and microfibril orientation angle of the fibers produced by an introgression line SY6167 which generates high-quality fibers even better than Sea island cotton with those of the common-quality fibers from TM-1 across 5 to 30 days post anthesis (DPA). The proteomes were profiled and compared at six representative time points using 2-DE and MS/MS. 14 proteins differentially expressed inside each of cotton line temporally and significantly different tween the two lines were identified. The dynamic change trajectories of fiber length and microfibril angle are close to “s” and reverse “s” growth curves, respectively. SY6167 and TM-1 fibers entered the logarithmic elongation phase simultaneously at 10 DPA, and SY6167 kept elongating logarithmically for 2 more days than TM-1. In parallel to logarithmic elongation, microfibril orientation angles dived sharply, and SY6167 declined faster for a shorter duration than TM-1. 53% of the identified proteins are related to redox homeostasis, and most of them are expressed at higher levels in SY6167 during logarithmic elongation. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Oxidase (ACO) started to accumulate at 16 DPA in SY6167, and its encoding genes were highly expressed at this stage, with a much higher level than TM-1. These findings suggest high-quality fibers are associated with high expression of the proteins related to stress and redox homeostasis, the continuously elevated expression of ethylene synthesis ACO gene may play an essential role.