Virus-Induced Gene Silencing of GFP in Cotton Fiber

We previously developed a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vector for the economically important crop cotton from the begomovirus Cotton leaf crumple virus (CLCrV). The vector was used to demonstrate both silencing of ChlI and GFP expression in vegetative organs. GFP expression was observed in cotton ovules suggesting that the CLCrV vector could be used to down-regulate cotton fiber genes.  Here we evaluate the extent and uniformity of 35S:mGFP5-ER transgene silencing from the CLCrV vector at 3,7,15, and 20 days post anthesis (dpa). These experiments validate the utility of the CLCrV-VIGS system in cotton fiber.