Biological Journal of Microorganism (Jun 2017)
An in-silico investigation on the structure, function and homologous sequences of the enzymes and proteins involved in the production and accumulation of the lipids in biodiesel resources
Abstract
Introduction:Biodiesel as a biofuel, with renewable, biodegradable and free of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons properties, could be derived from fatty acids of the cells of the animals, plants, algae and bacteria. So, a wide range of approaches have been considered to increase the oil production in biodiesel resources. In this regard, biotechnology approaches can provide new solutions based on application of molecular mechanisms. Materials and methods: A comprehensive survey on molecular mechanisms and key enzymes which are involved in the production and accumulation of the lipids in biodiesel resources have been considered based on literature study and in-silico investigation. In-silico investigation has been performed via InterProScan 5، Motif scan، Conserved Domain، ProtParam، TMHMM، GC content calculator، NetNGlyc، NetPhos، Sulfinator، Protein Blastand MEGA6 programs for characterizing the structure, functions and homology survey of the selected sequences. Results: Our survey led to the introduced diacyl glycerol acyl transferase (DGAT), waxester synthase/diacyl glycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT), oleosin, MLDP and TadA as the effective enzymes and proteins in lipid production and accumulation in selected biodiesel organisms. An investigation on the structure of the corresponding genes of the selected enzymes, led to reveal their various features in the length, GC content as well as in intronic properties. On the other hand, this characterizing on the selected enzymes and proteins disclosed post-translational modifications in all of them, as well as their localization in the cells. Moreover MBOAT, DAGAT, UPF0089, Oleosin and apolipo protein have been revealed in their context as critical domains. On the other hand, homology survey of the selected enzymes and proteins led to introduce the Verniciafordii, Ricinuscommunis, Dunaliella parva , Thalassiosira pseudonana, Saitoella complicata, Rhodococcus imtechensis and Rhodococcus wratislaviensis species, as new sources of biodiesel with possible capability for lipid production. Discussion and conclusion: Overall, this survey provides a series of motifs and domains in biodiesel process, as well as introducing several organisms with potency in biodiesel production, which could be more examined in an experimental condition.
