Comparison of pepck gene expression in developing seeds and leaves of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plant

Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase, encoded by the pepck gene, plays an important role in gluconeogenesis. It also seems to be important in metabolism of nitrogenous compounds in developing seeds of legumes, including amides and ureides which are then transformed into amino acids, necessary for the synthesis of storage proteins. In this research, pepck gene expression in mRNA level, in different genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), was determined. Two low protein genotypes (MCC291 and MCC373) and two high protein genotypes (MCC458 and MCC053) out of 20 chickpea genotypes were selected. Total RNA were extracted through different stages of seed development, and the expression of the pepck gene was estimated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results of the RT-PCR showed that two isoforms of this gene are expressed in high protein genotypes, whereas in the low protein genotypes, the expression of these isoforms was not obvious. Also this method showed a differential expression of pepck gene in different stages of flowering and seed development. pepck gene is expressed in higher levels during the sheet formation and developing seeds compared to the flowering and seed formation stages. Probably, the differential expression of pepck gene is related to its possible role in metabolism of seed components, particularly in determination of the protein content of chickpea seeds.