Publications of NIPGR Scientists

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    Genomic, structural, and molecular analysis of calmodulin-binding transcriptional activators (CAMTAs) suggests their role in plant development and abiotic stress tolerance in chickpea
    (Elsevier B.V., 2025) Sonkar, Kamankshi; Kamali, Saravanappriyan; Kumar, Atul; Deepika, Deepika; Ankit, Ankit; Singh, Amarjeet
    The calmodulin-binding transcriptional activator (CAMTA) transcription factors regulate the expression of target genes in Ca2 + dependent cellular functions. CAMTAs are known to regulate biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and development in plants. CAMTA family has been characterized in Arabidopsis, it is yet to be explored in the legume plant chickpea. Here, we have identified and characterized the chickpea CAMTA family. Total seven CAMTA genes (CaCAMTA1–7) were identified in chickpea. Gene and domain structure analyses suggested that CAMTAs are structurally conserved. The phylogenetic analysis demarcated CaCAMTAs into three groups namely; group I, II and III, and indicated that CaCAMTAs have co-evolved in dicot leguminous plants whereas, they have divergent evolution in monocots. Protein homology modeling revealed their three-dimensional structure, and composition & conformations of α-helix, β-sheets and p-loops. Subcellular localization showed that CaCAMTA4 was localized both, in the nucleus and the cytosol whereas, CaCAMTA5 was localized in the nucleus. CaCAMTA promoters contain various cis-regulatory elements related to abiotic stresses and plant development. Expression profiling using RNA-seq data revealed differential expression of CaCAMTAs during various stages of plant development. RT-qPCR expression analysis showed that most CaCAMTA genes are drought, salt, and ABA responsive, suggesting their role in abiotic stress tolerance in chickpea. Moreover, CaCAMTA regulon was identified based on the presence of CAMTA binding motif (CGCG box) in the promoters of target genes, and in-silico interaction analysis of TF and putative targets. Overall, CaCAMTAs are crucial for abiotic stress tolerance and plant development in chickpea. Key CaCAMTA genes will be functionally characterized, and will be exploited for developing stress tolerant chickpea varieties.
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    Genome-wide identification and molecular characterization of core ABA signaling components under abiotic stresses and during development in chickpea
    (Springer Nature Publishing AG, 2025) Kamali, Saravanappriyan; Sonkar, Kamankshi; Ankit, Ankit; Deepika, Deepika; Sharma, Ankita; Singh, Amarjeet
    Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling is vital for plant's response to abiotic stresses and development. Core components of ABA signaling include ABA receptors PYR/PYL/RCAR, group-A PP2Cs (PP2C-As) and SnRK2 serine/threonine kinases. These have been well studied in Arabidopsis, but their knowledge in the legume crop chickpea is missing. Here, we identified 8 PYLs, 11 PP2C-As and 13 SnRK2s genes in the chickpea genome. Gene duplication events have been found to drive their evolution and expansion in chickpea. Protein homology modeling revealed three-dimensional structure, and arrangements of α-helix, β-sheets and p-loops in respective families. In-planta subcellular localization analysis revealed that CaPYL3 and CaPYL5 proteins were localized at the plasma membrane, and CaPP2CA-1 and CaSnRK2.7 were localized in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. RNA sequencing data analysis indicated the regulatory role of CaPYLs, CaPP2C-As and CaSnRK2s in developmental stages particularly, stages of early embryogenesis to seed maturity. Through RT-qPCR analysis drought, salt and ABA responsive CaPYL, CaPP2C-A and CaSnRK2 genes, which might regulate abiotic stress response in chickpea were identified. Importantly, key genes like CaPYL4, CaPP2C-A4, CaPP2C-A11 and CaSnRK2.9 with overlapping expression in drought, ABA and seed development were identified, which might determine chickpea crop yield. In-silico interaction analysis revealed specific and overlapping interaction among ABA signaling proteins indicating their functional relevance. Overall, core ABA signaling components are crucial for abiotic stress tolerance and development in chickpea. These genes will be functionally validated in the future and will be utilized to generate abiotic stress resilience and high-yielding chickpea varieties.
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    Plant phospholipase D: novel structure, regulatory mechanism, and multifaceted functions with biotechnological application
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2022) Deepika, Deepika; Singh, Amarjeet
    Phospholipases D (PLDs) are important membrane lipid-modifying enzymes in eukaryotes. Phosphatidic acid, the product of PLD activity, is a vital signaling molecule. PLD-mediated lipid signaling has been the subject of extensive research leading to discovery of its crystal structure. PLDs are involved in the pathophysiology of several human diseases, therefore, viewed as promising targets for drug design. The availability of a eukaryotic PLD crystal structure will encourage PLD targeted drug designing. PLDs have been implicated in plants response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the molecular mechanism of response is not clear. Recently, several novel findings have shown that PLD mediated modulation of structural and developmental processes, such as: stomata movement, root growth and microtubule organization are crucial for plants adaptation to environmental stresses. Involvement of PLDs in regulating membrane remodeling, auxin mediated alteration of root system architecture and nutrient uptake to combat nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies and magnesium toxicity is established. PLDs via vesicle trafficking modulate cytoskeleton and exocytosis to regulate self-incompatibility (SI) signaling in flowering plants, thereby contributes to plants hybrid vigor and diversity. In addition, the important role of PLDs has been recognized in biotechnologically important functions, including oil/TAG synthesis and maintenance of seed quality. In this review, we describe the crystal structure of a plant PLD and discuss the molecular mechanism of catalysis and activity regulation. Further, the role of PLDs in regulating plant development under biotic and abiotic stresses, nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency, magnesium ion toxicity, SI signaling and pollen tube growth and in important biotechnological applications has been discussed.