Functional Characterisation of a Calmodulin-Binding Receptor-Like Cytoplasmic Kinase (GmCBRLCK1) in Glycine max (L.) Merr. using Bioinformatic Tools

An understanding of the function of signaling genes/proteins in soybean is vital for comprehending plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to functionally characterize a calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase gene (Glyma.13G161700) from Glycine max. Bioinformatic analyses were performed for the characterization. Expression profile of GmCBRLCK1 gene in soybean tissue was assessed using Genevisible. Functional genomic analysis for gene expression regulation and co-expression analysis was evaluated using micro array data from Affymetrix Soybean Genome Array platform in GENEVESTIGATOR v3. Gene ontology functional predictions were determined through FFPred 2.0. The results showed that the calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase gene is predominantly expressed in the pericycle and syncytium in root seedlings and in the palisade cells of the legume. The gene was shown to be highly upregulated in response to root exposure to Phytophthora sojae, Heterodera glycines and aluminium stress. Co-expressed genes during the legume development showed Pearson’s correlation co-efficient of 1 to Glyma.13G161700. Gene ontology predictions confirmed the signaling and metabolic functions of the kinase gene and its primary locations are the membrane and endomembrane system of G. max. The study therefore suggests that Glycine max calmodulin-binding receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (GmCBRLCK1) is involved in receptor signaling pathways to enhance seedling tolerance to root infection by P. sojae, H. glycines, and to aluminium stress. The kinase gene is also involved in regulation of metabolic processes that aid in growth and development of soybean seedling.