CSP1 — Cicer arietinum

Summary

LOC101494847 (CaCSP1) on chickpea chromosome 7 encodes a cold-shock domain protein with CSD, Znf_CCHC and OB-fold nucleic-acid-binding domains, and functions as an RNA folding chaperone that binds single- and double-stranded DNA, RNA, telomeric DNA and damaged DNA, and has transcription factor and protein-dimerization activities. In chickpea, CaCSP1 is associated with regulation of cellular respiration, ethylene biosynthesis, response to desiccation and low humidity, telomere maintenance, DNA replication and repair, meiotic cell cycle, stamen development, guard cell fate commitment, root hair initiation, and epidermal cell differentiation. It localises to the nucleus, nucleolus, cytosol, plasma membrane and vesicles. The gene is linked to grain size, callus induction, auxin content, root meristem development, cold tolerance and ABA accumulation. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to cold acclimation, freezing and salt tolerance, seed germination, stomatal development, and root meristem regulation.