Molecular Characterization of GhPLDα1 and Its Relationship With Secondary Cell Wall Thickening in Cotton Fibers

    October 2016 in “ Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica ”
    Kai Tang, Jinyuan Liu
    TLDR GhPLDα1 helps thicken cotton fiber walls by boosting cellulose production.
    The study investigated the GhPLDα1 gene in cotton and its role in secondary cell wall thickening of cotton fibers. Researchers found that the GhPLDα1 protein, located in the cytoplasm and cell membrane, was crucial during the transition from fiber elongation to thickening, with expression peaking at 20 days post-anthesis. The study showed that PLDα activity was linked to increased cellulose and H2O2 levels, and inhibiting this activity reduced these levels. A proposed model suggested that GhPLDα1 catalyzed phosphatidic acid production, activating NADPH oxidase and increasing H2O2, which stabilized cellulose synthase complexes. Overexpression in Arabidopsis supported this model, indicating GhPLDα1's significant role in fiber development and potential for improving fiber quality.
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