In silico Analysis and Molecular Modeling of RNA Polymerase, Sigma S (RpoS) Protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO۱

Background: Sigma factors are proteins that regulate transcription in bacteria. Sigma factors can be activated in response to different environmental conditions. The rpoS (RNA polymerase, sigma S) gene encodes sigma-۳۸ (σ۳۸, or RpoS), a ۳۷.۸ kDa protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) strains. RpoS is a central regulator of the general stress response and operates in both retroactive and proactive manners; not only does it allow the cell to survive environmental challenges; it also prepares the cell for subsequent stresses (cross-protection). Methods: The significance of RpoS for stress resistance and protein expression in stationary-phase P. aeruginosa cells was assessed. The goal of the current study was to characterize RpoS of P. aeruginosa PAO۱ using bioinformatics tools. Results: The results showed that RpoS is an unstable protein that belongs to the sigma-۷۰ factor family. Secondary structure analysis predicted that random coil is the predominant structure followed by extended alpha helix. The three-dimensional (۳D) structure was modeled using SWISS-MODEL Workspace. Conclusion: Determination of sequence, function, structure, and predicted epitopes of RpoS is important for modeling of inhibitors that will help in the design of new drugs to combat multi-drug-resistant (MDR) strains. Such information may aid in the development of new diagnostic tools, drugs, and vaccines for treatment in endemic regions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Bioinformatics ، In silico ، Pseudomonas aeruginosa ، RpoS ، Therapy