A histone deacetylase, GhHDT4D, is positively involved in cotton response to drought stress.

Acetylation and deacetylation of histones are important for regulating a series of biological processes in plants. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) control the histone deacetylation that plays an important role in plant response to abiotic stress. In our study, we show the evidence that GhHDT4D (a member of the HD2 subfamily of HDACs) is involved in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) response to drought stress. Overexpression of GhHDT4D in Arabidopsis increased plant tolerance to drought, whereas silencing GhHDT4D in cotton resulted in plant sensitivity to drought. Simultaneously, the H3K9 acetylation level was altered in the GhHDT4D silenced cotton, compared with the controls. Further study revealed that GhHDT4D suppressed the transcription of GhWRKY33, which plays a negative role in cotton defense to drought, by reducing its H3K9 acetylation level. The expressions of the stress-related genes, such as GhDREB2A, GhDREB2C, GhSOS2, GhRD20-1, GhRD20-2 and GhRD29A, were significantly decreased in the GhHDT4D silenced cotton, but increased in the GhWRKY33 silenced cotton. Given these data together, our findings suggested that GhHDT4D may enhance drought tolerance by suppressing the expression of GhWRKY33, thereby activating the downstream drought response genes in cotton.

Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) MAPKKK gene family in response to drought stress.

BACKGROUND: Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) are significant components in the MAPK signal pathway and play essential roles in regulating plants against drought stress. To explore MAPKKK gene family functioning in cotton response and resistance to drought stress, we conducted a systematic analysis of GhMAPKKKs. RESULTS: In this study, 157 nonredundant GhMAPKKKs (including 87 RAFs, 46 MEKKs and 24 ZIKs) were identified in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). These GhMAPKKK genes are unevenly distributed on 26 chromosomes, and segmental duplication is the major way for the enlargement of MAPKKK family. Furthermore, members within the same subfamily share a similar gene structure and motif composition. A lot of cis-elements relevant to plant growth and response to stresses are distributed in promoter regions of GhMAPKKKs. Additionally, these GhMAPKKKs show differential expression patterns in cotton tissues. The transcription levels of most genes were markedly altered in cotton under heat, cold and PEG treatments, while the expressions of some GhMAPKKKs were induced in cotton under drought stress. Among these drought-induced genes, we selected GhRAF4 and GhMEKK12 for further functional characterization by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method. The experimental results indicated that the gene-silenced cotton displayed decreased tolerance to drought stress. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was higher, but proline accumulation, relative leaf water content and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were lower in the gene-silenced cotton, compared with those in the controls, under drought stress. CONCLUSION: Collectively, a systematic survey of gene structure, chromosomal location, motif composition and evolutionary relationship of MAPKKKs were performed in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The following expression and functional study showed that some of them take important parts in cotton drought tolerance. Thus, the data presented here may provide a foundation for further investigating the roles of GhMAPKKKs in cotton response and resistance to drought stress.

The cotton ß-galactosyltransferase 1 (GalT1) that galactosylates arabinogalactan proteins participates in controlling fiber development.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are highly glycosylated proteins that play pivotal roles in diverse developmental processes in plants. Type-II AG glycans, mostly O-linked to the hydroxyproline residues of the protein backbone, account for up to 95% w/w of the AGP, but their functions are still largely unclear. Cotton fibers are extremely elongated single-cell trichomes on the seed epidermis; however, little is known of the molecular basis governing the regulation of fiber cell development. Here, we characterized the role of a CAZy glycosyltransferase 31 (GT31) family member, GhGalT1, in cotton fiber development. The fiber length of the transgenic cotton overexpressing GhGalT1 was shorter than that of the wild type, whereas in the GhGalT1-silenced lines there was a notable increase in fiber length compared with wild type. The carbohydrate moieties of AGPs were altered in fibers of GhGalT1 transgenic cotton. The galactose: arabinose ratio of AG glycans was higher in GhGalT1 overexpression fibers, but was lower in GhGalT1-silenced lines, compared with that in the wild type. Overexpression of GhGalT1 upregulates transcript levels of a broad range of cell wall-related genes, especially the fasciclin-like AGP (FLA) backbone genes. An enzyme activity assay demonstrated that GhGalT1 is a ß-1,3-galactosyltransferase (ß-1,3-GalT) involved in biosynthesis of the ß-1,3-galactan backbone of the type-II AG glycans of AGPs. We also show that GhGalT1 can form homo- and heterodimers with other cotton GT31 family members to facilitate AG glycan assembly of AGPs. Thus, our data demonstrate that GhGalT1 influences cotton fiber development via controlling the glycosylation of AGPs, especially FLAs.

Arabidopsis drought-induced protein Di19-3 participates in plant response to drought and high salinity stresses.

Di19 (drought-induced protein19) family is a novel type of Cys2/His2 zinc-finger proteins. In this study, Arabidopsis Di19-3 was functionally characterized. The experimental results revealed that AtDi19-3 is a transcriptional activator, and could bind to the TACA(A/G)T sequence. AtDi19-3 expression in plants was remarkably induced by NaCl, mannitol and abscisic acid (ABA). T-DNA insertion mutation of AtDi19-3 results in an increase in plant tolerance to drought and high salinity stresses and ABA, whereas overexpression of AtDi19-3 leads to a drought-, salt- and ABA-sensitive phenotype of the transgenic plants. In the presence of NaCl, mannitol or ABA, rates of seed germination and cotyledon greening in Atdi19-3 mutant were higher, but in AtDi19-3 overexpression transgenic plants were lower than those in wild type. Roots of Atdi19-3 mutant seedlings were longer, but those of AtDi19-3 overexpression transgenic seedlings were shorter than those of wild type. Chlorophyll and proline contents in Atdi19-3 mutant were higher, but in AtDi19-3 overexpression seedlings were lower than those in wild type. Atdi19-3 mutant showed greater drought-tolerance, whereas AtDi19-3 overexpression transgenic plants exhibited more drought-sensitivity than wild type. Furthermore, expression of the genes related to ABA signaling pathway was altered in Atdi19-3 mutant and AtDi19-3 transgenic plants. These data suggest that AtDi19-3 may participate in plant response to drought and salt stresses in an ABA-dependent manner.

A fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein, GhFLA1, is involved in fiber initiation and elongation of cotton.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are involved in many aspects of plant development. In this study, biochemical and genetic approaches demonstrated that AGPs are abundant in developing fibers and may be involved in fiber initiation and elongation. To further investigate the role of AGPs during fiber development, a fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein gene (GhFLA1) was identified in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Overexpression of GhFLA1 in cotton promoted fiber elongation, leading to an increase in fiber length. In contrast, suppression of GhFLA1 expression in cotton slowed down fiber initiation and elongation. As a result, the mature fibers of the transgenic plants were significantly shorter than those of the wild type. In addition, expression levels of GhFLAs and the genes related to primary cell wall biosynthesis were remarkably enhanced in the GhFLA1 overexpression transgenic fibers, whereas the transcripts of these genes were dramatically reduced in the fibers of GhFLA1 RNA interference plants. An immunostaining assay indicated that both AGP composition and primary cell wall composition were changed in the transgenic fibers. The levels of glucose, arabinose, and galactose were also altered in the primary cell wall of the transgenic fibers compared with those of the wild type. Together, our results suggested that GhFLA1 may function in fiber initiation and elongation by affecting AGP composition and the integrity of the primary cell wall matrix.

Cotton plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2s (PIP2s) selectively interact to regulate their water channel activities and are required for fibre development.

Aquaporins are thought to be associated with water transport and play important roles in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibre elongation. Among aquaporins, plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) constitute a plasma-membrane-specific subfamily and are further subdivided into PIP1 and PIP2 groups. In this study, four fibre-preferential GhPIP2 genes were functionally characterized. The selective interactions among GhPIP2s and their interaction proteins were studied in detail to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cotton fibre development. GhPIP2;3 interacted with GhPIP2;4 and GhPIP2;6, but GhPIP2;6 did not interact with GhPIP2;4. Coexpression of GhPIP2;3/2;4 or GhPIP2;3/2;6 resulted in a positive cooperative effect which increased the permeability coefficient of oocytes, while GhPIP2;4/2;6 did not. GhBCP2 (a blue copper-binding protein) inhibited GhPIP2;6 water channel activity through their interaction. Overexpression of GhPIP2 genes in yeast induced longitudinal growth of the host cells. By contrast, knockdown of expression of GhPIP2 genes in cotton by RNA interference markedly hindered fibre elongation. In conclusion, GhPIP2 proteins are the primary aquaporin isoforms in fibres. They selectively form hetero-oligomers in order to regulate their activities to meet the requirements for rapid fibre elongation.

Arabidopsis CBL-interacting protein kinase (CIPK6) is involved in plant response to salt/osmotic stress and ABA.

The CBL-CIPK signaling pathway represents a central and critical signaling system involved in plant response to abiotic stress and hormone signaling. In this study, we focused on AtCIPK6 gene, which have been shown to be required for development and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis, but the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of AtCIPK6 gene and whether it plays a role in ABA signaling is still unknown. Here, we showed that in addition to its expression induced by salt and drought stress, the transcripts of AtCIPK6 gene were largely accumulated in abscisic acid treated seedling, compared to basal level expression. Moreover, promoter sequence analysis revealed that there are some elements involved in stress and hormone response detected in the promoter region of AtCIPK6. AtCIPK6p:GUS transgenic assays unraveled that AtCIPK6 promoter is salt/osmotic stress- and ABA-inducible. Overexpression of AtCIPK6 gene in Arabidopsis increased plant tolerance to salt stress, but sensitivity to ABA. Our results contribute to the understanding of transcriptional regulatory mechanism of AtCIPK6 gene and may also provide a good stress-inducible promoter candidate for transgenic engineering.

Cotton AnnGh3 encoding an annexin protein is preferentially expressed in fibers and promotes initiation and elongation of leaf trichomes in transgenic Arabidopsis.

The annexins are a multifamily of calcium-regulated phospholipid-binding proteins. To investigate the roles of annexins in fiber development, four genes encoding putative annexin proteins were isolated from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and designated AnnGh3, AnnGh4, AnnGh5, and AnnGh6. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results indicated that AnnGh3, AnnGh4, and AnnGh5 were preferentially expressed in fibers, while the transcripts of AnnGh6 were predominantly accumulated in roots. During fiber development, the transcripts of AnnGh3/4/5 genes were mainly accumulated in rapidly elongating fibers. With fiber cells further developed, their expression activity was dramatically declined to a relatively low level. In situ hybridization results indicated that AnnGh3 and AnnGh5 were expressed in initiating fiber cells (0-2 DPA). Additionally, their expression in fibers was also regulated by phytohormones and [Ca(2+)]. Subcellular localization analysis discovered that AnnGh3 protein was localized in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of AnnGh3 in Arabidopsis resulted in a significant increase in trichome density and length on leaves of the transgenic plants, suggesting that AnnGh3 may be involved in fiber cell initiation and elongation of cotton.

Cotton BCP genes encoding putative blue copper-binding proteins are functionally expressed in fiber development and involved in response to high-salinity and heavy metal stresses.

Copper is vitally required for plants at low concentrations but extremely toxic for plants at elevated concentrations. Plants have evolved a series of mechanisms to prevent the consequences of the excess or deficit of copper. These mechanisms require copper-interacting proteins involved in copper trafficking. Blue copper-binding proteins (BCPs) are a class of copper proteins containing one blue copper-binding domain binding a single type I copper. To investigate the role of BCPs in plant development and in response to stresses, we isolated nine cDNAs encoding the putative blue copper-binding proteins (GhBCPs) from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Meanwhile, four corresponding genes (including GhBCP1-GhBCP4), which contain a single intron inserted in their conserved position, were isolated from cotton genome. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that the nine GhBCP genes are differentially expressed in cotton tissues. Among them, GhBCP1 and GhBCP4 were predominantly expressed in fibers, while the transcripts of GhBCP2 and GhBCP3 were accumulated at relatively high levels in fibers. These four genes were strongly expressed in early fiber elongation, but dramatically declined with further fiber development. In addition, these GhBCP genes were upregulated in fibers by Cu(2+) , Zn(2+) , high-salinity and drought stresses, but downregulated in fibers by Al(3+) treatment. Overexpression of GhBCP1 and GhBCP4 in yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) significantly increased the cell growth rate under Cu(2+) , Zn(2+) and high-salinity stresses. These results suggested that these GhBCPs may participate in the regulation of fiber development and in response to high-salinity and heavy metal stresses in cotton.

Three cotton genes preferentially expressed in flower tissues encode actin-depolymerizing factors which are involved in F-actin dynamics in cells.

To investigate whether the high expression levels of actin-depolymerizing factor genes are related to pollen development, three GhADF genes (cDNAs) were isolated and characterized in cotton. Among them, GhADF6 and GhADF8 were preferentially expressed in petals, whereas GhADF7 displayed the highest level of expression in anthers, revealing its anther specificity. The GhADF7 transcripts in anthers reached its peak value at flowering, suggesting that its expression is developmentally-regulated in anthers. The GhADF7 gene including the promoter region was isolated from the cotton genome. To demonstrate the specificity of the GhADF7 promoter, the 5'-flanking region, including the promoter and 5'-untranslated region, was fused with the GUS gene. Histochemical assays demonstrated that the GhADF7:GUS gene was specifically expressed in pollen grains. When pollen grains germinated, very strong GUS staining was detected in the elongating pollen tube. Furthermore, overexpression of GhADF7 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana reduced the viable pollen grains and, consequently, transgenic plants were partially male-sterile. Overexpression of GhADF7 in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) altered the balance of actin depolymerization and polymerization, leading to the defective cytokinesis and multinucleate formation in the cells. Given all the above results together, it is proposed that the GhADF7 gene may play an important role in pollen development and germination.

Three cotton homeobox genes are preferentially expressed during early seedling development and in response to phytohormone signaling.

Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) proteins are transcription factors unique to plants. In this study, three cDNAs (designated as GhHB2, GhHB3 and GhHB4) encoding HD-Zip proteins were isolated from cotton cDNA library. GhHB2 gene encodes a protein of 300 amino acids, GhHB3 gene encodes a peptide with 254 amino acids, and GhHB4 gene encodes a protein of 281 amino acids. The deduced proteins, which contain the homeodomain and leucine-rich zipper motif, share relatively high similarities with the other plant HD-Zip proteins. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that GhHB3 and GhHB4 were preferentially expressed in hypocotyls and cotyledons, whereas GhHB2 gene was predominantly expressed in young stems, at relatively high levels in hypocotyls. Expressions of all the three genes were up-regulated in roots, hypocotyls and cotyledons after GA(3) treatments. Additionally, GhHB4 expression was enhanced by 6-BA treatment. A GhHB2 promoter fragment was isolated from cotton by Genome-Walking PCR. Expression of GUS gene controlled under GhHB2 promoter was examined in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Strong GUS staining was detected in cotyledon, veins of the emerging leaves and shoot apices of 5- to 15-day-old transgenic seedlings, but GUS activity became more and more weak as the seedlings further developed. In addition, the promoter activity was induced by exogenous GA, indicating that GhHB2 promoter is very active during early seedling development, and may be GA-inducible. The results suggested that the three HB genes may function in early seedling development of cotton and in response to gibberellin signaling.

GhEIN3, a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) homologue of AtEIN3, is involved in regulation of plant salinity tolerance.

Ethylene insensitive 3 (EIN3), a key transcription factor in ethylene signal transduction, play important roles in plant stress signaling pathways. In this study, we isolated and characterized an EIN3-like gene from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), designated as GhEIN3. GhEIN3 is highly expressed in vegetative tissues, and its expression is induced by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and NaCl. Ectopic expression of GhEIN3 in Arabidopsis elevated plants' response to ethylene, which exhibit smaller leaves, more root hairs, shorter roots and hypocotyls. The germination rate, survival rate and root length of GhEIN3 transgenic plants were significantly improved compared to wild type under salt stress. GhEIN3 transgenic plants accumulated less H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA), while higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were detected under salt stress. In addition, expression of several genes related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and ABA signaling pathway was increased in the GhEIN3 transgenic plants under salt stress. In contrast, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of GhEIN3 in cotton enhanced the sensitivity of transgenic plants to salt stress, accumulating higher H2O2 and MDA and lower SOD and POD activities compared to control plants. Collectively, our results revealed that GhEIN3 might be involved in the regulation of plant response to salt stress by regulating ABA and ROS pathway during plant growth and development.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of TCP transcription factor genes in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

TCP proteins are plant-specific transcription factors (TFs), and perform a variety of physiological functions in plant growth and development. In this study, 74 non-redundant TCP genes were identified in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genome. Cotton TCP family can be classified into two classes (class I and class II) that can be further divided into 11 types (groups) based on their motif composition. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that GhTCPs display different expression patterns in cotton tissues. The majority of these genes are preferentially or specifically expressed in cotton leaves, while some GhTCP genes are highly expressed in initiating fibers and/or elongating fibers of cotton. Yeast two-hybrid results indicated that GhTCPs can interact with each other to form homodimers or heterodimers. In addition, GhTCP14a and GhTCP22 can interact with some transcription factors which are involved in fiber development. These results lay solid foundation for further study on the functions of TCP genes during cotton fiber development.

[Cloning of GhAQP1 gene and its specific expression during Ovule development in cotton].

Plant aquaporins, belonging to the MIP superfamily, are a series of transmembrane proteins that facilitate water transport through cell membranes. In this study, a cDNA clone encoding the PIP1-like protein was isolated from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cDNA libraries, and designated as GhAQP1 (Fig.1). We also isolated the GhAQP1 gene from cotton genome by PCR. The gene is 2,096 bp in length, including an open reading frame (ORF) and 5'-/3'-untranslated regions (UTR). It contains two introns in its ORF. The first intron is inserted between codons 209 and 210 in the fifth transmembrane helix, and another is located between codons 256 and 257 in the sixth transmembrane helix of GhAQP1, respectively (Figs.2 and 3). Northern blot analysis showed that GhAQP1 gene is expressed specifically in 6-15 DPA ovule, and reaches a peak in 9 DPA ovule (Figs.4 and 5), suggesting that its expression is ovule-specific and developmentally regulated in cotton.

A cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) gene encoding a NAC transcription factor is involved in negative regulation of plant xylem development.

NAC proteins that compose of one large family of plant specific transcription factors (TF) play the important roles in many biological processes (such as morphogenesis, development, senescence and stress signal transduction). In this study, a gene (designated as GhXND1) encoding a NAC transcription factor was identified in cotton. Sequence analysis indicated that GhXND1 gene contains two introns inserted in its open reading frame (ORF). GhXND1 protein is localized in the cell nucleus, and displays the transactivation activity. GhXND1 transcripts were mainly detected in cotyledons, petals, roots, hypocotyls and stems, but little or no signals of GhXND1 expression were found in the other tissues. Ectopic expression of GhXND1 in Arabidopsis resulted in a reduction in number of xylem vessel cells and cell wall thickness of interfascicular fibers in the transgenic plants, compared with those of wild type. And expression of some cell wall biosynthesis-related genes was down-regulated in the GhXND1 transgenic plants. Collectively, the data presented in this study suggested that GhXND1 may be involved in regulation of plant xylem development.

Genome-wide functional analysis of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in response to drought.

Cotton is one of the most important crops for its natural textile fibers in the world. However, it often suffered from drought stress during its growth and development, resulting in a drastic reduction in cotton productivity. Therefore, study on molecular mechanism of cotton drought-tolerance is very important for increasing cotton production. To investigate molecular mechanism of cotton drought-resistance, we employed RNA-Seq technology to identify differentially expressed genes in the leaves of two different cultivars (drought-resistant cultivar J-13 and drought-sensitive cultivar Lu-6) of cotton. The results indicated that there are about 13.38% to 18.75% of all the unigenes differentially expressed in drought-resistant sample and drought-sensitive control, and the number of differentially expressed genes was increased along with prolonged drought treatment. DEG (differentially expression gene) analysis showed that the normal biophysical profiles of cotton (cultivar J-13) were affected by drought stress, and some cellular metabolic processes (including photosynthesis) were inhibited in cotton under drought conditions. Furthermore, the experimental data revealed that there were significant differences in expression levels of the genes related to abscisic acid signaling, ethylene signaling and jasmonic acid signaling pathways between drought-resistant cultivar J-13 and drought-sensitive cultivar Lu-6, implying that these signaling pathways may participate in cotton response and tolerance to drought stress.

A cotton LIM domain-containing protein (GhWLIM5) is involved in bundling actin filaments.

LIM-domain proteins play important roles in cellular processes in eukaryotes. In this study, a LIM protein gene, GhWLIM5, was identified in cotton. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that GhWLIM5 was expressed widely in different cotton tissues and had a peak in expression during fiber elongation. GFP fluorescence assay revealed that cotton cells expressing GhWLIM5:eGFP fusion gene displayed a network distribution of eGFP fluorescence, suggesting that GhWLIM5 protein is mainly localized to the cell cytoskeleton. When GhWLIM5:eGFP transformed cells were stained with rhodamine-phalloidin there was consistent overlap in eGFP and rhodamine-palloidin signals, demonstrating that GhWLIM5 protein is colocalized with the F-actin cytoskeleton. In addition, high-speed cosedimentation assay verified that GhWLIM5 directly bound actin filaments, while low cosedimentation assay and microscopic observation indicated that GhWLIM5 bundled F-actin in vitro. Increasing amounts of GhWLIM5 protein were able to protect F-actin from depolymerization in vitro in the presence of Lat B (an F-actin depolymerizer). Our results contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical role of GhWLIM5 in modulating the dynamic F-actin network in cotton.

Expressions of three cotton genes encoding the PIP proteins are regulated in root development and in response to stresses.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), the most important textile crop worldwide, often encounters water stress such as drought or waterlog during its growth season (Summer). To investigate molecular mechanism of water regulation in cotton plants, three cDNAs encoding the plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) were isolated from cotton root cDNA library, and designated GhPIP1;1, GhPIP2;1 and GhPIP2;2, respectively. All of the three PIP proteins displayed water channel activity in Xenopus laevis oocytes. GhPIP2;1 and GhPIP2;2 proteins, however, showed much higher water transport activity than that of the GhPIP1;1 protein. Northern blot analysis revealed that all of the three genes were preferentially expressed in young roots. Further analysis by Real-time quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the transcripts of all the three genes were accumulated at high levels in 3-day-old young roots, but dramatically declined to much lower levels in 6-14 days old roots during seedling development, suggesting that expressions of the isolated GhPIP genes are developmentally regulated in roots. Additionally, expressions of the three genes were remarkably up-regulated or down-regulated under different stresses such as NaCl, cold, PEG (polyethylene glycol) treatments. Collectively, the results suggest that these genes may be involved in root development and in response to stresses.

A cotton gene encodes a tonoplast aquaporin that is involved in cell tolerance to cold stress.

To enhance the survival probability in cold stress, plant cells often increase their cold- and freezing-tolerance in response to low, nonfreezing temperatures by expressing some cold-related genes. In present study, a cotton gene encoding tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) was isolated from a cotton seedling cDNA library, and designated as GhTIP1;1. GFP fluorescent microscopy indicated that GhTIP1;1 protein was localized to the vacuolar membrane. Assay on GhTIP1;1 expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes demonstrated that GhTIP1;1 protein displayed water channel activity and facilitated water transport to the cells. At normal conditions, GhTIP1;1 transcripts were predominantly accumulated in roots and hypocotyls, but less abundance in other tissues of cotton. The GhTIP1;1 expression was dramatically up-regulated in cotyledons, but down-regulated in roots within a few hours after cotton seedlings were cold-treated. Overexpression of GhTIP1;1 in yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) significantly enhanced the cell survival probability, suggesting that the GhTIP1;1 protein is involved in cell freezing-tolerance.