Sugar Transporter Protein (STP) Genes in Chickpea
摘要
Reproductive organs of plants need large supplies of biomolecules from source tissues to sustain rapid growth, however, information on transporters of those in reproductive organs is scanty. Here, we report identification and characterization of sugar transport protein (STP) genes in chickpea followed by identification of STPs that express specifically in anthers and ovaries. Twenty eight STPs were identified in Chickpea, majority of which had 12 transmembrane helices and all had MFS_1 and Sugar_tr domains (pfam00083), the characteristic features of STPs. These proteins were translated from 23 CaSTP genes as three CaSTPs generated 10 isoforms. Two of these 10 isoforms were, however, not categorized as STPs as those lacked MFS_1 domain. The mechanisms of isoform formation were exon skipping, intron retention, alternative splicing and different transcription initiation sites. The genes varied considerably in length, number of introns/exons, lengths of coding sequences and were divided into four phylogenetic groups. The expression of CaSTP genes in reproductive organs of stage 13 flowers led to the identification of anther and ovary specific genes. Two genes had negligible expression in anthers, four in ovaries and 11 in both the organs. Five genes (CaSTP4, CaSTP13, CaSTP14, CaSTP22 and CaSTP23) had very high expression in anthers suggesting anther-specificity whereas only one (CaSTP14) in ovaries suggesting ovary/ovule specificity. Higher monosaccharide transport in anthers coincided with rapid growth of stage 11 anthers. The study will contribute to understand pollen/ovary development mechanisms and means to increase productivity.