Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the MYC Gene Family in Cotton: Evolution and Expression Profiles During Normal Growth and Stress Response

Background: The gene family of myelomatosis (MYC), serving as a transcription factor in the jasmonate (JA) signaling pathway, displays a significant level of conservation across diverse animal and plant species. Cotton is the most widely used plant for fiber production. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of literature reporting on the members of MYCs and how they respond to biotic stresses in cotton. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was used to mine the MYC gene family in cotton based on InterPro, cottongen, etc. Results: The gene structure, conserved motifs, and upstream open reading frames of 32 GhMYCs in Gossypium hirsutum were identified. Moreover, it was anticipated that the GT1-motif is the most abundant in GhMYCs, indicating that the GT1-motif plays a significant role in light-responsive GhMYCs. The expression patterns of GhMYCs under biotic stresses including V. dahliae and Aphid gossypii were evaluated, suggesting that GhMYCs in class-1 and -3 GhMYCs, which function as negative regulators, are involved in resistance to verticillium wilt and aphids. The class-3 GhMYCs genes were found to be mostly expressed in female tissues. Interestingly, it was also determined that the homeologous expression bias within GhMYCs in cotton was uncovered, and results showed that the gene expression of class-1A and class-2 GhMYCs in the Dt sub-genome may have a direct impact on gene function. Conclusions: This study provides a research direction for researchers and breeders to enhance cotton traits through manipulating individual or multiple homeologs, which laid a foundation for further study of the molecular characteristics and biological functions of GhMYC gene.