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In Silico Analysis of Fatty Acid Desaturase Genes and Proteins in Grasses

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Abstract

Fatty acid desaturases (FADs) catalyze the introduction of a double bond into acyl chains. Two FAD groups have been identified in plants: acyl-acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) and acyl-lipid or membrane-bound FAD. The former catalyze the conversion of 18:0 to 18:1 and to date have only been identified in plants. The latter are found in eukaryotes and bacteria and are responsible for multiple desaturations. In this study, we identified 82 desaturase gene and protein sequences from 10 grass species deposited in GenBank that were analyzed using bioinformatic approaches. Subcellular localization predictions of desaturase family revealed their localization in plasma membranes, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticula, and mitochondria. The in silico mapping showed multiple chromosomal locations in most species. Furthermore, the presence of the characteristic histidine domains, the predicted motifs, and the finding of transmembrane regions strongly support the protein functionality. The identification of putative regulatory sites in the promotor and the expression profiles revealed the wide range of pathways in which fatty acid desaturases are involved. This study is an updated survey on desaturases of grasses that provides a comprehensive insight into diversity and evolution. This characterization is a necessary first step before considering these genes as candidates for new biotechnological approaches.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, 8000, Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Marina Lucía Díaz & Daniela Soresi

  2. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Marina Lucía Díaz

  3. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida (CERZOS)–CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, 8000, Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Selva Cuppari, Daniela Soresi & Alicia Carrera

  4. Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Andrés 800, Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Alicia Carrera

Authors
  1. Marina Lucía Díaz
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  2. Selva Cuppari
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  3. Daniela Soresi
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  4. Alicia Carrera
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Correspondence to Marina Lucía Díaz.

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Díaz, M.L., Cuppari, S., Soresi, D. et al. In Silico Analysis of Fatty Acid Desaturase Genes and Proteins in Grasses. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 184, 484–499 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-017-2556-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-017-2556-7

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