ANNOUNCEMENTS
MADS-BOX comprise a class of homeotic genes that play a significant role in evolutionary processes and determination of floral organ identity in plants. MADS-BOX genes are highly conserved transcription factor (TF) family that play a considerable role in plant development. These are involved in determining various aspects of development in plants, including gamete, embryo, seed, root and flower development processes. Moreover, they have significant contributions related to evolution of floral architecture and flowering time determination in plants. Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea) is a legume plant enriched in nutritive value and potential storehouse of proteins, dietary minerals and fibers, and can produce a high yield even in semi-arid environment. At present, genome-wide identification and functions of MADS-BOX genes in chickpea has not been conducted. The current study aims at identification of MADS-BOX genes in chickpea and gaining insights into their role in various developmental processes. We identified a total of 46 MADS-BOX genes in chickpea and their chromosomal distribution, and structural analysis including domain identification and exon/intron organization were detected. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of the MADS-BOX genes identified their relatedness amongst themselves and enabled in assigning different classes. The results of the clustering showed different MADS-BOX chickpea genes in type-I and type-II classes harboring SRF-like and MEF2-like domains, respectively. The results suggest diversification of MADS-BOX genes during evolution. Overall, we identified MADS-BOX genes from chickpea that may play crucial role in developmental processes especially in determining flowering time and thus the information of this class of TF may be useful for engineering chickpea crops with higher yield and better seed quality.
Keywords: MADS-BOX, homeotic, transcription factor, SRF, MEF2, Cicer arietinum L.
