CHS — Cicer arietinum

Summary

LOC101513808 (CaCHS) on chickpea chromosome 5 encodes a chalcone synthase, a type-III polyketide synthase with chalcone/stilbene synthase domains. The gene product exhibits naringenin-chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, flavanone 4-reductase, flavonol synthase, and SUMO transferase activities. CaCHS is associated with flavonoid, anthocyanin, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, as well as phytoalexin production, secondary metabolism, and responses to UV light, gravity, and oxidative stress. The protein localizes to the cytosol, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and tonoplast. CaCHS is linked to seed coat color and pigmentation, anthocyanin content, drought tolerance, salt stress tolerance, root morphology, flowering time, amylose and fructose content, leaf relative water content, and resistance to root-knot nematodes and parasitic weeds. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to flavonoid production, UV-B sensitivity, male fertility, and defense responses.