Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan] is an important grain legume of
South-East Asia and East Africa. It is mainly grown as a
kharif crop and is known to sustain prolonged drought
and temperature stress. The Hsp 100 family gene [ClpB] is
one of the major and critical genes required for acquired
thermo tolerance. The current study was taken up to identify
and characterize the Hsp100 family genes in pigeon pea
since very little information is available for this thermo
tolerant plant. In silico genome wide characterization was
carried out and 5 Hsp100 like gene sequences were
identified. Domains were predicted and three proteins were
found to possess Class I type ClpB domains. Expression
of these genes was observed at control 2, 6 and 24 h post
heat stress conditions indicating their heat inducible nature.
Out of the 5 genes predicted, two Clp genes show constant
expression under heat stress and could be important
components of the heat stress response in pigeon pea as
they are targeted to the chloroplast. To identify additional
members, candidate gene approach was taken up. Glycine
max Hsp100 genes were downloaded and their expression
studied under heat stress conditions in Asha, Pusa dwarf
and C. platycarpus genotypes. Out of 23, 20 genes were
expressed in pigeon pea indicating the presence of more
Hsp100 family genes in the genome that need further
investigation. This study would help in understanding the
molecular components governing thermo tolerance in
pigeon pea.
Keywords: Pigeonpea, thermo tolerance, Hsp100 genes, ClpB, Glycine max
Year: 2014
Volume: 74
Issue: 3
Article DOI: 10.5958/0975-6906.2014.00850.5
Print ISSN: 0019-5200
Online ISSN: 0975-6906
P. Danekar, A. Mahto,K. Gaikwad and N. K. Singh info_circle
A. Tyagi, R. S. Raje info_circle
K. G. Krishna info_circle
A. Singh info_circle