MEKK1 — Cicer arietinum

Summary

LOC101498916, designated CaMEKK1 on chickpea chromosome 2, encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) with serine/threonine and tyrosine kinase activity, calmodulin binding, and DNA-binding transcription factor activity. It is associated with the MAPK cascade, positive regulation of ethylene biosynthesis, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid mediated signaling pathways, systemic acquired resistance, and responses to mechanical stimulus, carbon dioxide, L-glutamate, and hypotonic salinity. The gene is linked to root system development, stomatal complex patterning, floral organ abscission, male meiosis cytokinesis, and cell plate assembly. It localizes to endosomes, the nucleolus, mitochondria, stress granules, and cortical microtubules. CaMEKK1 is associated with traits including plant height, chlorophyll and anthocyanin content, stomatal resistance and closure, seed germination, flowering time, root architecture, and disease tolerance. Related genes in other species link the family to immune responses, osmotic stress tolerance, and wound signaling.