Prediction of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Desaturase in Tomato

Abstract

Aims: The jasmonic acid (JA) pathway plays a core role in the plant defense response, and the omega-3 fatty acid desaturase (FAD7 protein) is closely related to the synthesis and signal transduction of JA by regulating fatty acid metabolism. However, the regulation differences of FAD7 in different plants and the correlation between the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and the dynamic balance of JA signaling remain unclear. Therefore, it has great significance to clarify the properties, structure and protein interaction network of the FAD7 protein for the study of the plant defense response mechanism. Study Design: In order to explore the properties, structure and protein interaction network of the FAD7 protein for the study of the plant defense response mechanism, we conducted systematic bioinformatics analyses to predict and characterize the tomato ω-3 fatty acid desaturase. The results of this study laid a solid foundation for further in-depth exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of ω-3 fatty acid desaturases and the stress response mechanisms of tomato plants to various environmental stresses. Place and Duration of Study: College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, between March 2024 and April 2025. Methodology: In this study, we used bioinformatics methods to analyze the open reading frame, physical and chemical properties, secondary structure, subcellular localization, signal peptide, transmembrane structure, conserved domain, 3D structure and protein-protein interaction of the omega-3 fatty acid desaturase. Results: The results showed that the omega-3 fatty acid desaturase in tomato had 435 amino acids, among which the numbers of acidic and alkaline amino acids were similar. It contained 10 open reading frames, had no signal peptide but possessed 2 transmembrane domains. The subcellular localization analysis indicated that it was localized in the chloroplasts and endoplasmic reticulum. It belonged to the PLN02498 superfamily. The proteins that interacted with the omega-3 fatty acid desaturase included the DNAJ heat shock N-terminal domain protein, arginine decarboxylase, polyamine oxidase 1, acyl-CoA N-acyltransferase, fatty acid desaturase 6 and acyl carrier protein. In the secondary structure, α-helices and random coils accounted for the highest proportion. The results of this experiment laid a foundation for the further functional study of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase in tomato. Conclusion: The results of this study provided a reference basis for further in-depth research on the functions and metabolic pathways of omega-3 fatty acid desaturase in tomato. They also offered new targets for molecular breeding aimed at enhancing the resistance, yield and quality of tomato in agricultural production.