The use of mutants in research has led to numerous discoveries about specific aspects of metabolism. A recent example of this has been the use of Arabidopsis or Petunia mutants in the elucidation of genes involved in the regulation of gametogenesis. Many of these genes would have likely remained unknown due to the microscopic nature of gametophytic tissues. Using a similar approach, we have collected known fiber mutants (variants) of cotton. These variants include ligon lintless 1 & 2, SL 1-7-1, along with the "clean seed" lines (Mississippi Obsolete Numbers 143 & 243). By using 2-D PAGE, a comparison of protein profiles of SL 1-7-1 and a "normal" fiber producing line (DPL 5690) was made. Five proteins were developmentally unique to the fiber line which accumulated after fiber initiation; these proteins were designated D7, D10, D12, D13, and D14. Partial protein microsequencing has been performed on all but D7. Presently, no functions have been established for any of these D proteins. We have discovered that D12 and D13 are possible members of a multigene family (9 of 11 amino acids are identical on one sequence). Also D10 has some similarity to a protein which is unique to DPL 5690 line designated as V2 (a varietal difference which is present from 3 DBA to 4 DPA). The accumulation pattern of D14 is correlated with the fiber elongation phase. Another comparison, the analysis of protein profiles of the ligon lintless 1 line with TM-1 have been inconclusive. We have also used 2-D PAGE to try to identify proteins which correlate with specific fiber traits. A cross was made with MD51ne X Tamcot HQ95 and 14 DPA fiber was analyzed from the fiber. Seven proteins were found which were associated with specific fiber traits; the correlation occurred when measuring interactions of multiple proteins. Further work needs to characterize these proteins in order to identify clones and possibly make fusion proteins, and thereafter antibodies.