Full-length cloning and characterization of abiotic stress responsive CIPK31-like gene from finger millet, a drought-tolerant crop

• Published in: Current science (Bangalore) Vol. 111; no. 5; pp. 890 - 894
• Main Authors: Nagarjuna, K. N., Parvathi, M. S., Sajeevan, R. S., Pruthvi, V., Mamrutha, H. M., Nataraja, K. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Current Science Association 10-09-2016
• Subjects: Calcium; Complementary DNA; Drought; Gene expression; Millet; Plant dietary protein; Polymerase chain reaction; Proteins; RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS; Rice; RNA
• ISSN: 0011-3891
• DOI: 10.18520/cs/v111/i5/890-894

Regulatory proteins such as protein kinases are known to play a crucial role in plant stress acclimation pathways. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of an abiotic stress responsive protein kinase called CBL Interacting Protein Kinase (EcCIPK31-like) from finger millet, a drought-tolerant crop. PCR-based approach was followed to clone 1350 bp coding region that encodes a 449 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 50.69 kDa. The conserved domain analysis revealed the presence of CIPK domain with 90% sequence similarity with fox tail millet SiCIPK31-like gene. We also report its upregulation under salinity, desiccation, oxidative and temperature stresses at seedling level in finger millet. Drought stress at whole-plant level significantly induced the expression of EcCIPK31-like, indicating that the gene is linked to drought signalling pathways. The stress-responsive nature of EcCIPK31-like to diverse stresses indicates that the gene could regulate multiple cellular tolerance traits and its further functional validation can highlight the relevance in abiotic stress acclimation in plants.