The possible role of Phosphoenolpyrovate Carboxykinase (PEPCK) in protein content of chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum L.)

Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (PEPCK) has been shown to be present in plants and animals, playing different metabolic roles in different tissues. The basic role of this enzyme is its contribution in the gluconeogenesis pathway. Evidences have shown that PEPCK may play a role in metabolism of nitrogenous compounds in developing seeds of legumes. In this research, pepck gene expression and the occurrence of PEPCK protein and its activity in different genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinume L.) were determined. Two low protein genotypes (MCC291 & MCC373) and two high protein genotypes (MCC458 & MCC053) out of 20 chickpea genotypes were selected, from which the total RNA was extracted through different stages of seed development. The expression of chickpea pepck gene was estimated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results of RT-PCR showed that two isoforms of this gene were expressed in high protein genotypes, whereas in the low protein genotypes were not expressed. The differential expression of pepck gene is perhaps related to the possible role of Phosphoenolpyrovate Carboxykinase in protein content of chickpea seeds.