TT8 — Cicer arietinum

Summary

LOC101506726 (CaTT8, CaBHLH42) on chickpea chromosome 4 encodes a protein with MYC/MYB_N, bHLH, and HLH domains, and has DNA-binding and protein-dimerization activity. It is associated with regulation of flavonoid, proanthocyanidin, and anthocyanin anabolism, regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism, and downregulation of sinapate ester anabolism. The gene is linked to seed coat color and morphology, anthocyanin and flavonoid content, seed weight, germination rate, and flowering time. It is also associated with stress responses including UV-B, high and low temperature, oxidative stress, cadmium concentration, and disease tolerance. Additional associations include trichome differentiation, root hair length, plant epidermal cell fate specification, mucilage anabolism during seed coat development, and sucrose-mediated signaling. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to proanthocyanidin accumulation, seed coat pigmentation, trichome formation, and anthocyanin production.