Identification and analysis of Leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) in Arachis hypogaea

Abstract

Drought, salinity and extreme temperatures are the most common abiotic stresses, which affect the growth and productivity of the plant adversely. The plant’s exposure to stress activates stress signaling pathways, which induce biochemical and physiological changes essential for stress acclimation. The ground nut, (Arachis hypogea L.) a major oilseed crop, is an important source of edible oil and the worlds’ third most valuable source of proteins, besides as a dietary source of vitamin E and phytosterols. Arachis hypogaea is also a key source of plant’s secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids. The important role of these flavonoids as the major blue, purple and red pigments has got these secondary products a great attention over the past years. The major sub groups of these compounds include the flavones, flavandiols, chalcones, anthocyanin, flavonols and proanthocyanidins (the condensed tannins), the aurones, a seventh group is also widespread. The current study will in light the role of proanthocyanidin biosynthetic gene(s) in Arachis hypogea. The characterization of respective genes may be helpful to direct the efforts of metabolic engineering in future, specifically to the branch pathway of proanthocyanidins. The goal of our study is to identify the Leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) gene in Arachis hypogaea by insilico analysis and to evaluate different growth, physiological and biochemical parameters against salt stress.