Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40646466›Full record

ArticleBMC plant biology2025

Comprehensive identification of cotton EPF/EPFL receptors and functional characterization of the GhEPFL1-1-GhER1 module in drought tolerance.

Shichang He, Huijian Sun, Qing Chen, Yanlong Yang, Zixin Zhou, Saiwen Chang, Shuaiqi Lu, Zhencai Liang, Julan Yang, Xiao Fei

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC plant biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Comprehensive Profiling of the RicePlants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Shichang He *Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
Huijian Sun *Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture Agricultural Science Research Institute, Korla, 841000, China.
Qing ChenXinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
Yanlong YangResearch Institute of Economic Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, 830091, China.
Zixin ZhouResearch Institute of Economic Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, 830091, China.
Saiwen ChangXinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
Shuaiqi LuXinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
Zhencai LiangXinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
Julan YangXinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
Xiao FeiXinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China. feixiao@xju.edu.cn.

Funding

Central Government Guides Local Science and Technology Development Program ZYYD2025ZY05Major Projects in Agricultural Biotechnology Breeding 2023ZD04039-04National College Student Innovation Training Program Key Support Neighborhood Project 202410755099National Natural Science Foundation of China 32260074Youth Fund of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 2022D01C94
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The development of stomatal lineage cells in terrestrial plants is tightly regulated by epidermal patterning factors (EPFs/EPFLs) and their downstream receptors, including ERECTA, TOO MANY MOUTHS (TMM), and SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASEs (SERKs). These components form co-receptor complexes that activate the MAPK signaling cascade, playing critical roles in stomatal development, stress responses, and signal transduction. However, the EPF-ERECTA-TMM signaling network remains largely unexplored in cotton (Gossypium spp.). In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of the EPF/EPFL, ERECTA, TMM, and SERK gene families in four cotton species (G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. arboreum, and G. raimondii), identifying 135 EPF/EPFL, 18 ERECTA, 6 TMM, and 90 SERK genes. Bioinformatics analyses-including gene collinearity, protein domain structure, cis-regulatory elements, and protein-protein interaction predictions-revealed functional divergence and stress-related regulatory potential across these families. Expression profiling in G. hirsutum indicated that several candidate genes, such as GhEPFL1-1, GhER1, and GhSERK17, are responsive to abiotic stresses. To validate these computational predictions, functional assays were conducted. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of GhEPFL1-1, GhER1, and GhSERK17 led to increased stomatal density and reduced drought tolerance, confirming their roles in stress adaptation. Furthermore, luciferase complementation imaging in Nicotiana benthamiana demonstrated direct interactions between GhEPFL1-1 and GhER1, and co-receptor complex formation with GhSERK17, consistent with molecular docking simulations. Collectively, this study lays a theoretical foundation for further exploration of the EPF/EPFL-mediated peptide-receptor signaling pathway in cotton and its potential application in breeding for stress resilience.

Indexed as

GossypiumPlant ProteinsDrought ResistanceDroughtsGene Expression Regulation, PlantPhylogenyPlant StomataSignal TransductionStress, PhysiologicalPlant ProteinsCottonDrought stressEPF/EPFLGene family analysisGhEPFL1-1GhER1GhSERK17

Identifiers

PMID40646466
PMCPMC12247387

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.