Bioinformatics Assignment
Bioinformatics Assignment
Bioinformatics Assignment
Subject: Bio-Informatics
Class: BS–MLT
Roll No: 22
Abstract
The NADH:menaquinone oxidoreductase (Nqo) is one of the enzymes present in the respiratory
chain of the thermohalophilic bacterium Rhodothermus marinus. The genes coding for the R.
marinus Nqo subunits were isolated and sequenced, clustering in two operons [nqo1 to nqo7 (nqoA)
and nqo10 to nqo14 (nqoB)] and two independent genes (nqo8 and nqo9). Unexpectedly, two genes
encoding homologues of a NhaD Na+/H+ antiporter (NhaD) and of a pterin-4α-
carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) were identified within nqoB, flanked by nqo13 and nqo14. Eight
conserved motives to harbour iron–sulphur centres are identified in the deduced primary structures,
as well as two consensus sequences to bind nucleotides, in this case NADH and FMN. Moreover, the
open-reading-frames of the putative NhaD and PCD were shown to be co-transcribed with the other
complex I genes encoded by nqoB. The possible role of these two genes in R. marinus complex I is
discussed.
Concluding remarks
Based on the above results, genetic evidence for the presence of a type I NADH:quinone
oxidoreductase in the respiratory chain of the microaerophilic bacterium R. marinus was provided,
adding this complex to the small number of bacterial complexes I so far described. Although the
genomic organisation of its encoding genes in two putative operons and two independent genes is not
unusual, the presence of pcd and nhaD putative genes among nqo genes is unique. Furthermore, it
was clearly shown that the URFs found in nqoA, and the accessory genes in nqoB form single
transcriptional units with the canonical flanking nqo genes.