The Analysis of the Glycosyltransferase Activity Gene Family in Gossypium hirsutum and Functional Verification of GTs Conferring Resistance to Verticillium Wilt

Glycosyltransferases (GTs) play an important role in plant growth and development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the function of GTs gene family in cotton resistance to Verticillium wilt is limited. In the present study, transcriptome analysis revealed eight GTs upregulated in susceptible cotton varieties and downregulated in resistant cotton varieties during early Verticillium dahliae inoculation, indicating which were involved in regulating the infection of V. dahliae in cotton. Promoter analysis revealed a high prevalence of MeJA (methyl jasmonate) and ABA (abscisic acid)-related cis-acting elements among these GTs. Genome-wide and location analysis of the homologous genes showed that these GTs were relatively conserved in evolution. Furthermore, a Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) experiment results demonstrated a reduction in disease resistance after GhGT61 silencing. These insights not only deepen our understanding of the GT family's role in cotton but also provide a foundation for future research on the disease resistance mechanisms of these genes.