In-silico Characterization of ICE1 Transcriptional Factor in Cold Signalling Network in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Aim: Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is a leguminous crop with high rich of protein and susceptible to cold stress. In silico characterization of ICE1, a cold tolerant transcriptional factor in Vigna radiata and transcriptional regulatory network with other species of Vigna and with special refrence to legume crops. 
Methodology: Genomic sequences of Vigna radiata, V. angularis and V. unguculata and other leguminous crops were retrieved from NCBI (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) and used for multiple sequence alignment, Phylogenetic and comparative analysis of ICE1 protein and motif analysis. 
Results: The present study showed that Vigna radiata ICE1 (VrICE1) gene was closely related to VaICE1 gene (Vigna angularis) and then VuICE1 gene (Vigna unguiculata). The study also revealed that the bHLH domain region (247-298aa) was the low complexity region and co-localization signals of V.radiataICE1. There were a similarities and dissimilarities of the ICE1 protein isoforms in V.radiata. It was noted that VrICE1 had a average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) of -0.593 in one and -0.6 in other. An instability index of 64.58 and 64.90. VrICE1 had a higher percentage of non-polar amino acid content and more number of random coils followed by alpha helix in secondary structure. The study also revealed that there was major involvement of VrICE1 proteins in biological and molecular functions under cold stress. 
Conclusion: The bioinformatics tools help researchers in getting information with regard to the functional aspect of the gene with respect to cold tolerance. A comprehensive analysis of the different physical and chemical properties of Vigna species could help us to identify their diversified usefulness.