Transcriptome analysis of Gossypium hirsutum cultivar Zhongzhimian No.2 uncovers the gene regulatory networks involved in defense against Verticillium dahliae

Abstract Background Cotton is globally important crop. Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium dahliae , is the most destructive disease in cotton, reducing yield and fiber quality by over 50% of cotton acreage. Breeding resistant cotton cultivars has proven to be an efficient strategy for improving the resistance of cotton to V. dahliae . However, the lack of understanding of the genetic basis of VW resistance may hinder the progress in deploying elite cultivars with proven resistance. Results We planted the VW-resistant Gossypium hirsutum cultivar Zhongzhimian No.2 (ZZM2) in an artificial greenhouse and disease nursery. ZZM2 cotton was subsequently subjected to transcriptome sequencing after Vd991 inoculation (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation). Several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in response to V. dahliae infection, mainly involved in resistance processes, such as flavonoid and terpenoid quinone biosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, MAPK signaling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and pyruvate metabolism. Compared to the susceptible cultivar Junmian No.1 (J1), oxidoreductase activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were significantly increased in ZZM2. Furthermore, gene silencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( COX1 ), which is involved in the oxidation-reduction process in ZZM2, compromised its resistance to V. dahliae , suggesting that COX1 contributes to VW resistance in ZZM2. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that the G. hirsutum cultivar ZZM2 responds to V. dahliae inoculation through resistance-related processes, especially the oxidation-reduction process. This enhances our understanding of the mechanisms regulating the ZZM2 defense against VW.