Investigation and bioinformatics analysis of squalene synthase gene and protein in native strain of Aurantiochytrium

Squalen is a polyunsaturated triterpene with wide range of applications in pharmacy. In this study, production of squalen and bioinformatic analysis of corresponding gene were investigated in native strain of Aurantiochytrium. This strain produced 3.7 and 1.6 g/l biomass and oil rich in squalene, respectivelly. The amount of produced squalene by this strain was assessed as 48.9 mg/l. Also, Aurantiochytrium squalen synthase gene was identified and sequenced by molecular analysis. Using the bioinformatics software's, some of codon parameters were evaluated and graphical chart was drawn. By use of modeling databases and their software's, the modeling process of this enzyme was conducted. The results of modeling confirmed the role of some amino acids as alanine, glutamic acid, leucine in construction of alpha helix structure. These types of studies help in identification of squalene synthase reaction mechanism. Evaluation of these hidden information can improve the knowledge of the squeal-like scalene folding process and the challenges of protein expression and will be effective in the new design of the enzyme.