The Molecular Mechanism of GhbHLH121 in Response to Iron Deficiency in Cotton Seedlings

Iron deficiency caused by high pH of saline–alkali soil is a major source abiotic stress affecting plant growth. However, the molecular mechanism underlying iron response in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) poorly understood. In this study, we investigated impacts at seedling stage and elucidated corresponding regulation network, which centered on hub gene GhbHLH121. induced expression genes with roles to deficiency, especially The suppression GhbHLH121 virus-induced silence technology reduced seedlings’ tolerance low photosynthetic efficiency severe damage structure chloroplast. Contrarily, ectopic Arabidopsis enhanced deficiency. Further analysis protein/protein interactions revealed that can interact GhbHLH IVc GhPYE. addition, directly activate GhbHLH38, GhFIT, GhPYE independent IVc. All told, positive regulator cotton, regulating uptake as upstream GhFIT. Our results provide insight into complex network cotton.