Computational Analysis of Three-Amino Acid Loop Extension (TALE) Proteins in Cicer arietinum L. And Evaluation of Their Transcript Levels Under Drought Stress Conditions

Chickpea is an agronomically and nutritionally important legume. The TALE transcription factor gene family plays a key role in plant growth and development. However, no comprehensive study has yet characterized the TALE gene family in chickpea. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to identify and characterize members of the TALE gene family in chickpea for the first time. A total of 27 TALE gene family members were identified in chickpea. Based on bioinformatic analyses, these genes were classified into two subfamilies: BEL1-like (BLH/BELL homeodomain) and KNOX (KNOTTED-like homeodomain). Various in silico analyses were performed, including intron–exon structure analysis, conserved motif identification, chromosomal localization, gene duplication assessment, cis-element and miRNA target prediction. Gene expression patterns were analyzed using RNA-seq drought datasets and validated by qPCR. The bioinformatic and expression analyses revealed that CaTALE genes play distinct regulatory roles under drought stress conditions. The structural and functional characteristics identified in this study highlight the evolutionary diversification of the TALE gene family in chickpea. Overall, the findings on gene structure, conserved domains, duplication events, and abiotic stress responses provide valuable insights into the evolution and functional roles of TALE genes in chickpea. This study serves as the first comprehensive resource for future functional and evolutionary studies of the TALE gene family in chickpea.