Genomic and expression analysis indicate the involvement of phospholipase C family in abiotic stress signaling in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Phospholipase C proteins are phospholipid hydrolysing enzymes and crucial components of abiotic stress triggered lipid signaling in plants. PLCs are implicated in plant reaction to drought, salinity, and cold stress responses, however, characterization of the PLC family in the legume crop chickpea is missing. Here, we identify and describe nine PLC encoding genes in the chickpea genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the chickpea PLC family has evolved through a common path in dicots. Subcellular localization of fluorescence tagged proteins confirmed cytoplasmic and plasma membrane bound forms of PLCs in chickpea. The promoters of all the PLC genes are comprised of several hormone response related, development and abiotic stress related cis-regulatory elements. Expression analysis in five developmental stages (germination, seedling, vegetative, reproductive and senescence) showed significant expression of multiple PLCs in germination, vegetative and reproductive stages, suggesting their diverse role in various developmental processes. qRT-PCR expression analysis of the entire PLC gene family under drought, salt and cold stresses revealed that most PLC genes are differentially expressed in multiple abiotic stresses. These observations indicate the involvement of PLC gene family in abiotic stress signaling and responses in important legume crop. The present study opens new avenues for utilizing PLC- related information in biotechnological programs for abiotic stress tolerance and legume crop improvement.