Sequence analysis and homology modeling Gallus gallus glutathione S-transferase (Q08392).

Glutathione S-transferases (GST) belong to the transferase group of enzymes; GST are a family of enzymes that catalyze the addition of glutathione to endogenous or xenobiotic, often toxic electrophilic chemicals, and a major group of detoxification enzymes. We used the homology modeling technique to construct the structure of Gallus gallus GST. The amino acid sequence identity between the target protein and sequence of template protein 1ML6 (Mus musculus) was 66.2%. Based on the template structure, the protein model was constructed by using the Homology program Modeller9v1, and briefly refined by energy minimization steps; it was validated by PROCHECK. In all, 94.4% of the amino acids were in allowed regions of Ramachandran plot, showing the accuracy of the model and good stereochemical quality. Our results correlated well with the experimental data reported earlier, which proved the quality of the model. This generated model can be further used for the design and development of more potent GST inhibitors.

Butyrylcholinesterase in metabolic syndrome.

Butyrylcholinesterase may have a role in a number of metabolic functions and could affect the expression of insulin resistance syndrome. We present our integrated work using clinical, biochemical and bioinformatic approaches to delineate the possible function of this enzyme. Initially, we constructed a phylogenic tree with nucleotides and amino acid sequences and showed the existence of similar sequences in bacteria, plants and in other animals. We also demonstrated a possible pathogenic role for BChE in the common existence of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease by in silico method and followed it up with a diabetic mouse study where cognition was slowed along with changes in BChE levels. In the next group of in silico studies, we employed THEMATICS method to identify the amino acids at the active site and later performed docking studies with drugs. THEMATICS predicted two clusters of ionisable amino acid residues that are in proximity: one with two residues and another with 11 showed perturbation in the THEMATICS curves. Using ISIS/Draw 2.5SP4, ARGUSLAB 4.0.1 and HEX 5.1. software. 3-D ligands were docked with BChE motif (from PDB). We did not find any of the ligands studied with significant docking distance, indicating they did not have direct interaction with the active site. Subsequently we performed in silico studies to compare the secondary structure and domain of BChE. Protein-protein interaction showed the following intersections with BChE UBE21, CHAT, APOE, AATF, DF ALDH9A1, PDHX, PONI PSME3 and ATP6VOA2. The integrative physiological roles of proteins with poorly known functions can be approached by generating leads in silico, which can be studied in vivo, setting into movement an iterative process.