B.R.A. Gama, R.M. Moraes Filho, A.V.V. Montarroyos, L.S.S. Martins
Published: October 30, 2022 
Genet. Mol. Res. 21(4): GMR19076 
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr19076 

Cite this Article:
B.R.A. Gama, R.M.Moraes Filho, A.V.V. Montarroyos, L.S.S. Martins (2022). In silico characterization of putrescine N-methyltransferase in Solanaceae species. Genet. Mol. Res. 21(4): GMR19076. https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr19076

About the Authors
B.R.A. Gama, R.M. Moraes Filho, A.V.V. Montarroyos, L.S.S. Martins

Corresponding Author
B.R.A. Gama
Email: beatrizrayrana@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The Solanaceae family comprises about 100 genera and 2,500 species, with a cosmopolitan distribution and greatest diversity in the Neotropical region. In Brazil, 36 genera and 506 species have been identified, including 236 endemic species. The family has a high diversity of species of economic importance as a source of food, medicinal extracts, and for ornamental use. The species are sources of bioactive secondary metabolites, with diverse applications. We made ae structural and functional characterization and developed three-dimensional models of putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT) proteins, a key enzyme of secondary metabolism, involved in biosynthesis of nicotine, tropane alkaloids, and calistegines. We examined 48 PMT sequences from Solanaceae species available in public databases. A hydrophilic characteristic of PMT was found for all species, and the isoelectric point demonstrated a somewhat acidic character (5.4 – 6.6). We identified four functional domains in the PMT sequences. Cluster analysis by Neighbor-Joining was consistent with recent taxonomic classifications of the species.

Keywords: Bioinformatics, Computational analysis, Homology modeling, Secondary metabolites, Solanaceae.