Exploring the Role of Cotton CMF Genes in Salt Stress Tolerance: Insights from Phylogenetic, Expression, and Functional Analyses

Salt stress significantly limits cotton growth and development, making the improvement of salt tolerance critical. CMF genes, containing a single CCT domain, are promising targets for breeding programs. We identified 101 CMF genes from four cotton species. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into six clusters closely related to Arabidopsis . Gene structure and motif analysis showed high conservation, while collinear analysis indicated segmental duplication as a key factor in CMF gene family expansion. Promoter analysis predicted involvement in light, abiotic stress, plant hormone responses, and growth. Expression analysis revealed differential expression of GhCMF genes across tissues, with some induced by abiotic stress. Co-expression network analysis indicated GhCMF14 interacts with other proteins to resist abiotic stress. Subcellular localization showed GhCMF14 in the nucleus. Silencing GhCMF14 enhanced salt tolerance, with higher chlorophyll and proline content, and lower MDA and H ₂ O ₂ levels. This study provides insights into CMF gene regulation and their role in cotton salt stress tolerance.