Proteomic analysis reveals the diversity and complexity of membrane proteins in chickpea (<it>Cicer arietinum</it> L.)

• Main Authors: Jaiswal Dinesh Kumar, Ray Doel, Subba Pratigya, Mishra Poonam, Gayali Saurabh, Datta Asis, Chakraborty Subhra, Chakraborty Niranjan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-10-01
• Series: Proteome Science
• Subjects: Grain legume; Membrane-associated proteins; 2-DE; Mass spectrometry; Transmembrane domain
• Online Access: http://www.proteomesci.com/content/10/1/59

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Compartmentalization is a unique feature of eukaryotes that helps in maintaining cellular homeostasis not only in intra- and inter-organellar context, but also between the cells and the external environment. Plant cells are highly compartmentalized with a complex metabolic network governing various cellular events. The membranes are the most important constituents in such compartmentalization, and membrane-associated proteins play diverse roles in many cellular processes besides being part of integral component of many signaling cascades.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To obtain valuable insight into the dynamic repertoire of membrane proteins, we have developed a proteome reference map of a grain legume, chickpea, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. MALDI-TOF/TOF and LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis led to the identification of 91 proteins involved in a variety of cellular functions viz., bioenergy, stress-responsive and signal transduction, metabolism, protein synthesis and degradation, among others. Significantly, 70% of the identified proteins are putative integral membrane proteins, possessing transmembrane domains.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The proteomic analysis revealed many resident integral membrane proteins as well as membrane-associated proteins including those not reported earlier. To our knowledge, this is the first report of membrane proteome from aerial tissues of a crop plant. The findings may provide a better understanding of the biochemical machinery of the plant membranes at the molecular level that might help in functional genomics studies of different developmental pathways and stress-responses.</p>