Structural and Molecular Characterization of Squalene Synthase Belonging to the Marine Thraustochytrid Species Aurantiochytrium limacinum Using Bioinformatics Approach

Marine Drugs

Leonidas Matsakas¹  Alok Patel¹  Sachin Vyas¹  Ulrika Rova¹  Paul Christakopoulos¹  Maurizio Bettiga² 

[1] Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Natural Resource Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden;Department of Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenberg, Sweden;

关键词: marine thraustochytrids;    Aurantiochytrium;    squalene;    squalene synthase;    bioinformatic analysis;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md20030180

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The marine microorganisms thraustochytrids have been explored for their potential in the production of various bioactive compounds, such as DHA, carotenoids, and squalene. Squalene is a secondary metabolite of the triterpenoid class and is known for its importance in various industrial applications. The bioinformatic analysis for squalene synthase (SQS) gene (the first key enzyme in the tri-terpenoid synthesis pathway), that is prevailing among thraustochytrids, is poorly investigated. In-silico studies combining sequence alignments and bioinformatic tools helped in the preliminary characterization of squalene synthases found in Aurantiochytrium limacinum. The sequence contained highly conserved regions for SQS found among different species indicated the enzyme had all the regions for its functionality. The signal peptide sequence and transmembrane regions were absent, indicating an important aspect of the subcellular localization. Secondary and 3-D models generated using appropriate templates demonstrated the similarities with SQS of the other species. The 3-D model also provided important insights into possible active, binding, phosphorylation, and glycosylation sites.

【 授权许可】

Unknown