Drought priming modulates ABF, GRFs, related microRNAs and induce metabolic adjustment during heat stress in chickpea

Drought and high temperature stress may occur concomitantly or individually in succession causing cellular dysfunctions. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key stress regulator, and its responsive genes are controlled by ABRE (Abscisic acid Responsive Element)-binding factors (ABFs)and G-Box Regulatory factors (GRFs). Here, we identify ABFs, GRFs and targeting miRNAs in desi and kabuli chickpea. To validate their role after drought priming and subsequent high temperature stress, two contrasting chickpea varieties (PBG1 and PBG5) were primed and exposed to 32 °C, 35 °C and 38 °C for 12, 6 and 2 h respectively and analyzed for Physio-biochemical, expression of ABFs, GRFs and MiRNAs, and GC-MS based metabolite analysis. To ascertain the ABF-GRF protein-protein interactions, docking studies were carried out between the ABF3 and GRF14. Genome-wide analysis identified total 9 & 11 ABFs, and 11 GRFsin desi and kabuli respectively. Their gene structure, and motif composition were conserved in all subfamilies and only 10 and 12 genes have undergone duplication in both desi and kabuli chickpea respectively. These genes were differentially expressed in-silico. MiR172 and miR396 were identified to target ABFs and GRFs respectively. Protein-protein interaction (ABF3 and GRF14) might be successful only when the ABF3 was phosphorylated. Drought priming downregulated miR172 and miR396 and eventually upregulated targeting ABFs, and GRFs. Metabolite profiling (GC-MS) revealed the accumulation of 87 metabolites in Primed (P) and Non-Primed (NP) Chickpea plants. Tolerant cultivar (PBG5) responded better in all respects however both severity of stress and exposure are important factors and can produce broadly similar cellular response.