title: Characterization of the legumains encoded by the genome of Theobroma cacao L.
abstract: Legumains are cysteine proteases related to plant development, protein degradation, programmed cell death, and defense against pathogens. In this study, we have identified and characterized three legumains encoded by Theobroma cacao genome through in silico analyses, three-dimensional modeling, genetic expression pattern in different tissues and as a response to the inoculation of Moniliophthora perniciosa fungus. The three proteins were named TcLEG3, TcLEG6, and TcLEG9. Histidine and cysteine residue which are part of the catalytic site were conserved among the proteins, and they remained parallel in the loop region in the 3D modeling. Three-dimensional modeling showed that the propeptide, which is located in the terminal C region of legumains blocks the catalytic cleft. Comparing dendrogram data with the relative expression analysis, indicated that TcLEG3 is related to the seed legumain group, TcLEG6 is related with the group of embryogenesis activities, and protein TcLEG9, with processes regarding the vegetative group. Furthermore, the expression analyses proposes a significant role for the three legumains during the development of Theobroma cacao and in its interaction with M. perniciosa.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Genetics Center, State University of Santa Cruz, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliano Oliveira
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Genetics Center, State University of Santa Cruz, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Genetics Center, State University of Santa Cruz, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aurizangela Oliveira
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Genetics Center, State University of Santa Cruz, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Virgínia Lúcia
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Fontes Soares
authors.affiliation: Cocoa Research Center, CEPLAC/CEPEC, P.O. Box 7, 45600-970 Itabuna, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karina Peres
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Gramacho
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Genetics Center, State University of Santa Cruz, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil. Electronic address: pirovani@uesc.br.
authors.forename: Carlos Priminho
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Pirovani
mesh_terms: D000363:Agaricales / Q000502:physiology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002099:Cacao / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D018548:Cotyledon / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018745:Genome, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D008961:Models, Structural; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D036226:Seedlings / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D000099240:Asparaginyl Endopeptidase
chemical_list: D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D010940:Plant Proteins; D000099240:Asparaginyl Endopeptidase
keywords: Cocoa; Cysteine-proteinase; Gene expression; Modeling; Witches' broom; qPCR