Publications of NIPGR Scientists
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://ndkr-library.nipgr.ac.in/handle/123456789/1
Browse
7 results
Search Results
Item 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, AmarjeetThe 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.Item Cellular transport and multifaceted roles of jasmonates in nutrient deficiency response in plants(Springer Nature Publishing AG, 2025) Kamali, Saravanappriyan; Sonkar, Kamankshi; Singh, AmarjeetJasmonates (JAs) are well documented for their role in plant defense and growth regulation. Cellular transport of JAs during their biosynthesis and signaling constitutes an important layer of their functional regulation. However, most of the information about JAs transport has been gathered in recent years. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of intracellular transport of JAs in plants is of great importance to comprehend their function. In addition, in recent years, JAs have emerged as key regulators of nutrient deficiency response in plants. Under nutrient deficiency, plants show unique adaptive responses, including altered root growth, remodeling of root system architecture (RSA), triggering nutrient uptake-related genes, and activation of nutrient transporters. JAs have been found to regulate these responses in relation to the variable availability of macro- and micronutrients. Evidence indicates that in response to deficiencies of macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K+), the JA biosynthesis pathway is modulated, leading to higher JA accumulation. Furthermore, the JA-signaling pathway has been shown to regulate nutrient deficiency-related transcription factors, transporters, and RSA for optimum plant development. In this review, recent developments and updates on molecular mechanisms of cellular transport of JAs during JA biosynthesis and signaling are presented. In addition, new insights on involvement of JAs in nutrient uptake, homeostasis, deficiency response, and plant development have been provided.Item Genomic and transcriptomic approaches to developing abiotic stress-resilient crops(MDPI AG, 2023) Kamali, Saravanappriyan; Singh, AmarjeetIn the realm of agriculture, a pressing concern remains the abiotic stresses, such as temperature fluctuation, drought, soil salinity, and heavy metal contamination. These adverse growth conditions hamper crop yields and global food security. In this review, we present a comprehensive examination of the recent advancements in utilizing genomics and transcriptomics, tools to enhance crop resilience against these stress factors. Genomics aids in the identification of genes responsive to stress, unravels regulatory networks, and pinpoints genetic variations linked to stress tolerance. Concurrently, transcriptomics sheds light on the intricate dynamics of gene expression during stress conditions, unearthing novel stress-responsive genes and signaling pathways. This wealth of knowledge shapes the development of stress-tolerant crop varieties, achieved through conventional breeding programs and state-of-the-art genetic engineering and gene editing techniques like CRISPR-Cas9. Moreover, the integration of diverse omics data and functional genomics tools empowers precise manipulation of crop genomes to fortify their stress resilience. In summary, the integration of genomics and transcriptomics holds substantial promise in elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind crop stress tolerance, offering a path towards sustainable agriculture and safeguarding food security amidst shifting environmental challenges.Item 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, AmarjeetAbscisic 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.Item Jasmonic acid biosynthesis pathway and its functional role in plants(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Ankit, Ankit; Kamali, Saravanappriyan; Singh, AmarjeetPlants encounter various abiotic and biotic stresses including drought, heat, cold, salinity, osmotic stress, fungal infection, herbivore attacks in their natural habitat. In these unavoidable circumstances various phytohormones play crucial roles in regulating plant growth and development (Khan et al., 2019, 2020a, 2020b; Nazir et al., 2019, 2021, 2022; Poo´r et al., 2021). Jasmonic acid (JA) is a lipid-derived phytohormone which acts as a signal as well as regulator in various physiological processes and stress conditions. Methyl ester of JA (MeJA) is the first active jasmonate which was detected and isolated as an odorant from Jasminium grandiflorum flowers (Demole et al., 1962). Among the conjugates of JA, JA-Ile is the most biologically active form (Fonseca et al., 2009). Recently, cis-(1)-12- oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA) an intermediate in the lipoxygenases (LOX) pathway for JA biosynthesis has been shown to be functional signaling molecule instead of JA in lower plants, such as Marchantia polymorpha (liverworts), Physcomitrella patens (moss) and Selaginella martensii (spikemoss) (Ogorodnikova et al., 2015; Stumpe et al., 2010; Yamamoto et al., 2015). Apart from bryophytes, fungus species such as Fusarium oxysporum have JA and/or JA-Ile conjugate (Miersch et al., 1999). Although, JA and its derivatives are distributed among bryophytes and fungi, most of the homologs of JA biosynthesis enzymes are present in major lineages of land plants (Han, 2017). In last decade, studies have been performed in both monocotyledons as well as dicotyledons plants to better understand the JA biosynthesis mechanism. In Arabidopsis, JA biosynthesis mainly occurs in chloroplast, peroxisome and cytoplasm (Ruan et al., 2019). In chloroplast, OPDA is synthesized from unsaturated fatty acid α-linolenic acid (α-LeA) derived from the chloroplast membrane, followed by its conversion into JA in peroxisome. The conversion of JA into different functional and structural metabolites takes place in the cytoplasm. JA and its other derivatives like MeJA and JA-Ile are collectively known as jasmonates.Item Jasmonates as emerging regulators of plants response to variable nutrient environment(Taylor & Francis Group, 2022) Kamali, Saravanappriyan; Singh, AmarjeetJasmonates (JAs) are known for their roles in plant defense and growth regulation. In recent years their roles in nutrient uptake and homeostasis have been explored. Regulation of nutrients uptake is crucial to maintain their optimum level in normal and deficient conditions. Under the deficiency of different nutrients, plants show unique responses like altered root growth, remodeling of root system architecture (RSA), induction of nutrient uptake-related genes, activation of nutrient transporters, and nutrient reallocation. JAs have been shown to regulate these responses in the variable availability of macro-and micronutrients. Emerging evidences revealed that in response to deficiency of macronutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K+), JA biosynthesis pathway is activated. JA signaling pathway has been implicated in regulating nutrient deficiency-related transcription factors, transporters, and various facets of RSA for optimum plant development. In addition, JA pathway cross-talks with other phytohormones like auxin and ethylene for improving plant growth and adaptive response under nutrient deficiencies. In this review, emerging evidences and the latest developments on involvements of JAs in macro- and micronutrient uptakes, homeostasis, deficiency response, and plant development are discussed.Item Genomic & structural diversity and functional role of potassium (K+) transport proteins in plants(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Ankit, Ankit; Kamali, Saravanappriyan; Singh, AmarjeetPotassium (K+) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and productivity. It is the most abundant cation in plants and is involved in various cellular processes. Variable K+ availability is sensed by plant roots, consequently K+ transport proteins are activated to optimize K+ uptake. In addition to K+ uptake and translocation these proteins are involved in other important physiological processes like transmembrane voltage regulation, polar auxin transport, maintenance of Na+/K+ ratio and stomata movement during abiotic stress responses. K+ transport proteins display tremendous genomic and structural diversity in plants. Their key structural features, such as transmembrane domains, N-terminal domains, C-terminal domains and loops determine their ability of K+ uptake and transport and thus, provide functional diversity. Most K+ transporters are regulated at transcriptional and post-translational levels. Genetic manipulation of key K+ transporters/channels could be a prominent strategy for improving K+ utilization efficiency (KUE) in plants. This review discusses the genomic and structural diversity of various K+ transport proteins in plants. Also, an update on the function of K+ transport proteins and their regulatory mechanism in response to variable K+ availability, in improving KUE, biotic and abiotic stresses is provided.