ARA — Cicer arietinum

Summary

CaARA (LOC101508123) on chickpea chromosome 3 encodes a small GTPase of the Rab family, with GTPase activity, GTP binding and protein binding functions. The gene is associated with intracellular protein transport, vesicle transport, inter-Golgi cisterna transport, and response to heat. Its product localises to the Golgi stack, Golgi-associated vesicles, the trans-Golgi network, endosomes, the endomembrane system and the plasmalemma. Studies of the Arabidopsis relative ARA-4 link the family to root architecture and morphological development. Associations transferred from related genes in other species connect the family to seed protein content, seed weight, germination rate, plant height, amino acid content, phosphorus uptake and root oxidative activity.