Identification, Characterization and Expression Analysis of Calmodulin and Calmodulin-Like Protein Genes with Emphasis on Reproductive Organs of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
摘要
Calmodulin (CaM) and Calmodulin-like (CML) proteins, the major players in Ca2+ induced signaling, have been studied primarily for abiotic stress responses but not for regulation of reproduction. In the present investigation, we report CaM and CML genes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and identify genes transcribing in male and female organs, roots (the organ for nutrient uptake and translocation), besides stem and leaves. Four CaM and 38 CML genes distributed in all the eight chromosomes were identified in chickpea. To overcome ambiguities in gene names, a new nomenclature, Ca followed by CaM/CML followed by unique number to each gene, was proposed. The gene, mRNA, protein and coding sequences were identified for each gene. Gene structure, EF-hands, motifs, phylogenetic relationships and protein-protein interactions were also deduced by using appropriate bioinformatics tools. The majority of the CaCML genes (65.8%) were intronless whereas all CaCaM had one intron. EF-hands also varied where all CaCaM had four and CaCML one to four EF-hands. The association of CaM and CML with other proteins predicted using bioinformatics tools suggested their role in growth, development and transportation. The majority of the CaM/CML transcribed in more than one organ with only 10 CaCML showing one organ enriched expression (roots: six, ovaries: four). Moreover, a higher number of genes showed root and ovary enriched expression implying higher CML induced signaling to facilitate increased nutrient transport, ovary growth, pollen tube guidance, fertility for seed development and the yield.