Identification, characterization and expression analysis of calmodulin and calmodulin-like protein genes in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
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Date
2022-12-16
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CSK HPKV, Palampur
Abstract
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), is an important legume crop grown widely for its nutritious
seeds. It is believed to be originated in South-West Asia. Chickpea productivity is severely
hampered by both abiotic (cold, heat, draught, salt) and biotic stresses (wilt & blight).
Following stress, the plant cells exhibit Ca2+ fluxes. The Ca2+ binds to the calcium binding
proteins such as Calmodulin and Calmodulin-like leading to Ca2+ induced signaling and
plant’s responses to stress. In the present investigation, Ca2+ binding genes, Calmodulin
(CaM) and Calmodulin-like (CML) in chickpea were identified and characterized. Four
calmodulin and thirty-eight calmodulin-like genes were identified in the chickpea genome.
The Calmodulin and Calmodulin-like genes were distributed in all the eight chromosomes of
chickpea while chromosomal location of four Calmodulin-like genes could not be ascertained.
A new nomenclature for these genes in chickpea was also proposed because the previous
nomenclature was erroneous and confusing. The gene, mRNA, protein and coding sequences
were identified for each genes using appropriate database and software, and the gene
identities were confirmed using NCBI, SMART and Pfam tools. Gene structure, phylogenetic
relationships and protein-protein interaction were also deduced by using appropriate
bioinformatics tools. Expression of four CaM (Calmodulin) and thirty-eight CML
(Calmodulin-like) genes was studied in five different organs of chickpea (leaf, stem, root,
anther and ovule). CaM and CML gene families in chickpea expressed differentially in
different organs. Expression analysis showed that maximum number of CaM and CML genes
expressed at very high levels in roots and ovules showing root and ovule specificity. One
CaCaM and 14 CaCMLs genes overexpressed in ovule, 2 CaCaM and 13 CaCMLs genes
overexpressed in root, 4 CaCMLs genes overexpressed in leaf, 3 CaCMLs genes
overexpressed in anther and 2 CaCMLs genes overexpressed in anther. The study revealed the
existence of large number of CaCaM and CaCML genes in chickpea and that these genes
express in organ specific manner suggesting organ specific function of each gene.