Molecular characterization of inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (GmlPk1) from soybean and its expression pattern in the developing seeds

The principal storage compound of seeds, phytic acid, poses several problems for agriculture due to its antinutritional effects making the development of low phytate crops a prime priority in research. Soybean, with its high nutritive value, wide acceptability and varied usage, but possessing high levels of phytate can be a major target of low phytate research. To this effect, Inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (IPK1) can prove to be critical player given its key role in catalyzing the terminal step of phytate biosynthesis. In this paper, we report the expression profile of GmIPK1 across different tissues and seed development stages, cloning of 1371 bp nucleotide sequence representing the full length cDNA of GmIPK1 and in silico analysis for characterization. Amino acid sequence of GmIPK1 showed much similarity with that of Phaseolus vulgaris and Cicer arietinum. It also showed the presence of the characteristic Ins_P5_2-kinase domain required for catalytic activity. Thus this study provides an initial idea on the molecular characterization of GmIPK1 enzyme for its further in detailed study and subsequent utilization in generating low phyate soybean with enhanced mineral bioavailability.