Co-domestication of cold tolerance and female flower is determined by CsEIN2 in cucumber.

ABSTRACT: Survive and successful reproduction at cold stress are critical for cucumber adaptation to environmental conditions in high-latitude regions. However, the molecular basis for the co-domestication of cold adaptation and reproductive success in cucumber remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that CsEIN2 acts as an indispensable hub in regulating both cold tolerance and female flower percentage (FFP) in cucumber. Specifically, we discover that three completely linked natural variations at the C-terminus of CsEIN2, that is, the CsEIN2^CTC and CsEIN2^TCG haplotypes determine the differences in cold tolerance and FFP. These variations affect the interaction of CsEIN2 with the transcription factor CsEIN3, which activates the expression of target genes such as CsCBF2 and CsERF31

SUBMITTER: Li C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12483969 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature