Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of MYB transcription factors in Gossypium hirsutum

Background MYB family proteins are one of the most abundant transcription factors in the cotton plant and play diverse roles in cotton growth and evolution. Previously, few studies have been conducted in upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum. The recent release of the G. hirsutum genome sequence provides a great opportunity to identify and characterize the entire upland cotton MYB protein family.