Two duplicated GhMML3 genes coordinately control development of lint and fuzz fibers in cotton.

ABSTRACT: Cotton produces two types of fibers: fuzz and lint. Cotton yield is determined by the number of epidermal cells that develop into lint fibers. Despite numerous studies, the genetic and molecular mechanisms that control lint and fuzz fiber development remain unclear. Here, using the recessive naked-seed or fuzzless-linted mutant (n₂NSM) in combination with gene editing and complementation, we found that the recessive fuzzless gene n₂ encodes the MYBMIXTA-like (MML) transcription factor GhMML3_D12. Overexpression of GhMML3_D12 in n₂NSM restored fuzz fiber development, whereas CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of GhMML3_D12 in wild-type cotton (J668) resulted in a fuzzless-linted phenotype. Interestingly, simultaneous edits to GhMML3_D12 and its duplicate GhMML3_A12 result

SUBMITTER: Chen R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12010375 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature