A ubiquitin-GhUBX-GhCDC48 module regulates secondary cell wall thickening in cotton fiber.

ABSTRACT: The secondary cell wall (SCW) is a critical supportive and protective structure in plant growth and development. In cotton fibers, it is established that SCW thickening directly determines fiber strength by enhancing mechanical support, but the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain poorly understood. Here, we elucidate a ubiquitin-GhUBX-GhCDC48 regulatory module in which GhUBX serves as a bridge between GhCDC48 and ubiquitin, promoting GhCDC48 degradation via the ubiquitin-26S proteasome pathway. Compared to the wild type receptor (W0), transgenic cotton lines in which GhUBX is silenced or GhCDC48 is overexpressed exhibited significantly increased SCW thickness and fiber strength. Conversely, GhCDC48 silencing resulted in stunted plant growth and impaired cell wall development

SUBMITTER: Zang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12579104 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature