Cotton Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.6, 278-289 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/cgg 278 Feature Review Open Access Proteomic Response of Cotton Leaves to Verticillium Wilt Infection Ming Li, Congbiao You Tropical Microbial Resources Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: congbiao.you@hitar.org Cotton Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.6 doi: 10.5376/cgg.2025.16.0028 Received: 30 Sep., 2025 Accepted: 10 Nov., 2025 Published: 29 Nov., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Li and You, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li M., and You C.B., 2025, Proteomic response of cotton leaves to verticillium wilt infection, Cotton Genomics and Genetics, 16(6): 278-289 (doi: 10.5376/cgg.2025.16.0028) Abstract Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, poses a significant threat to global cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production, leading to substantial yield and quality losses. In this study, we employed a proteomic approach to investigate the molecular responses of cotton leaves to V. dahliae infection, aiming to elucidate defense mechanisms at the protein level. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analyses, we identified and quantified differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in infected versus healthy cotton leaves, focusing on cultivar CRI 12 as a representative case. The identified DEPs were functionally categorized into defense and stress-related proteins, metabolic reprogramming factors, and signaling regulators, reflecting a complex reorganization of cellular processes in response to infection. Comparative proteomic analysis between susceptible and resistant cultivars revealed distinct defense protein profiles and metabolic adjustments associated with disease resistance. These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of cotton defense against V. dahliae and highlight candidate proteins for breeding and genetic engineering. This study underscores the value of integrative omics approaches in advancing our understanding of cotton-pathogen interactions and paves the way for the development of Verticillium wilt-resistant varieties through proteomic-guided breeding strategies. Keywords Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum); Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae); Proteomics; Differentially expressed proteins; Disease resistance 1 Introduction Among the various cotton diseases, yellow wilt is almost the most troublesome one for farmers. It is caused by the soil fungus "Verticillium dahliae", which can quietly invade the plant through the root system and then spread along the xylem vessels, causing systemic lesions. The most obvious symptoms often occur on the leaves. First, they turn yellow and wilt, then the vascular bundles turn brown, and finally the entire plant sheds leaves and ages prematurely. With the obstruction of photosynthesis, the vitality of cotton decreases, and both yield and fiber quality are impaired (Xiong et al., 2020). What troubles people is not only the speed of the onset of the disease, but also the "stubbornness" of such pathogens. The Trichoderma lucidum can form black dormant structures called microsclerotia in the soil. Even without a host, it can "hibernate" in the soil for more than ten years. This endurance means that even if farmland is rotated and disease-resistant varieties are planted, it is still difficult to completely get rid of it. Although disease-resistant breeding is constantly advancing, due to the significant differences and strong adaptability among strains, complete immunity remains the ideal state (Cheng and Zhang, 2025). Previous studies have found that resistant varieties such as sea island cotton are more "alert" in defense responses, with more vigorous lignin synthesis, faster accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), and more obvious callose deposition. These characteristics were confirmed by comparing transcriptomics and histochemical analyses, indicating that the offensive and defensive battle between cotton and the Trichoderma milii is not simple, and once again reminding us that understanding the resistance mechanism requires the combination of multiple disciplines. If transcriptomics can tell us "which genes are activated", then proteomics is more like observing "the truly moving molecular machines" (Zhu and Luo, 2024). It studies the dynamic changes of all proteins in organisms, especially capturing key signals such as post-transcriptional or post-translational modifications (Zhang et al., 2019). In the study of interactions between plants and pathogens, proteomics has revealed many defense cores,
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