Title: Insights into molecular evolution, characterization, and expression analysis of spl Gene family in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Abstract:
Background: Plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) named SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like (SPL) proteins have a number of developmental roles in plants, including growth, flowering, and signal transduction. A gene family that encodes SPL proteins has been identified in two model species, A. thaliana and O. sativa. Chickpea (C. arietinum), a leguminous crop, has not been thoroughly explored with regard to the SPL gene family.
Objective: Chickpea SPL family genes were identified and characterized in silico by using a genomic database. Gene data were retrieved from the phytozome database. The genetic information from chickpea was examined using bioinformatics methods.
Results: In this article, genome-wide characterization, expression, and structural analysis of the SPL gene family were carried out to examine the potential roles of SPLs in chickpea. 19 SPL genes were detected from the Cicer arietinum genome. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the SPLs in chickpea evolved into 4 groups, Group-I with 2 introns, Group-II and IV with 1-2 introns (except CaSPL13 and CaSPL15 having 3 introns) and Group-III with 9 introns (except CaSPL1 and CaSPL11 with 1 and 8 introns respectively). The SBP domain revealed that SPL proteins featured two zinc-binding sites i. e. C3H and C2HC and one nuclear localization signal. All CaSPL proteins contain highly conserved motifs i.e., Motif 1, 2 and 4 except CaSPL10 in which Motif 1 and 4 were absent. Following analysis, it was discovered that motifs 1 and 2 of the chickpea SBP domain were Zn finger motifs, whereas motifs 4 carried a nuclear localization signal. All pairs of CaSPL paralogs developed by purifying selection. The promoter study of the CaSPL genes indicated the existence of cis-elements that are sensitive to stress, light, and phytohormones. Examination of their expression patterns showed most of the CaSPLs expressed predominantly in young pod and flower. Some CaSPL genes were also expressed in stress condition mainly in cold, salt and drought stress conditions, indicating their functions in plants' growth and development as well as their ability to respond to abiotic stress by controlling the expression of their target genes.
Conclusion: The majority of the CaSPL genes are expressed in many tissues and play significant roles in plant growth and development, including responses to stressors. Future research on the function and evolution of SPL genes in chickpea may be made possible by our study's full understanding of the CaSPL gene family.
Audience Take Away Notes :
- This study indicates SPL genes functions in plants' growth and development as well as their ability to respond to abiotic stress by controlling the expression of their target genes.
- This study helps the audience as SPL genes have the ability to respond to abiotic stress by controlling the expression of their target genes. This study belongs to Plant science.
- Future research on the function and evolution of SPL genes in chickpea may be made possible by our study's full understanding of the CaSPL gene family.
- By using this we identify which specific genes shows their expression in which specific tissue and under which environmental stress condition.
- Identification of cis-elements that are sensitive to stress, light, and phytohormones
- Helps to improve the yield and production of chickpea.
- Helps in genetic modification of chickpea
