Looking into ‘hair tonics’ for cotton fiber initiation

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.16898
• Publication Date: 2020-08-29T02:58:40Z
• Authors: Lu Wang; Dewi Kartika; Yong‐Ling Ruan
• Keywords: Lint; MYB

Cotton fiber is the most important source of cellulose for global textile industry. These hair-like single-celled trichomes develop from ovule epidermis. They are classified into long spinnable lint and short fuzz. A key objective in cotton industry to breed elite cultivars with fuzzless seeds carrying high yield. Molecular basis underlying fuzz initiation remains obscure. Recent studies indicate under control MYB-bHLH-WDR (MBW) transcription factor complex. Based on molecular genetic gene expression patterns linking phenotypes, we propose that specific but different sets MBW genes required precisely regulate fibers. Emerging evidence further points sugar signaling as a 'hair-tonic' boost through interaction complex auxin signaling. An integrative model provided conceptual framework future dissect network responsible initiation.