Bioinformatic analysis of FAE1-A and FAD2-A genes in Camelina sativa

Camelina (Camelina sativa), an oilseed plant in the Brassicaceae family, is recognized as a significant crop both biologically and industrially, with recent attention shifting towards its potential as a biofuel source. The close genetic resemblance between Arabidopsis thaliana and C. sativa has sparked interest among researchers in manipulating oleic acid levels through microRNAs and the gene sequences FAE1-A and FAD2-A. A recent bioinformatics study focused on these genes in camelina revealed that the FAE1-A protein is hydrophobic, while FAD2-A is hydrophilic. Structural analysis indicated GMQE values of 0.88% for FAE1-A and 0.93% for FAD2-A. The FAE1-A protein’s secondary structure comprises 49% helix, 11% beta-sheet, 41% coil, and 9% membrane content with a confidence level of 79.2%. Similarly, the secondary structure of the FAD2-A consists of 43% helix, 12% beta-sheet, 45% coil, and 30% membrane content with a confidence level of 79.8%. Codon preference patterns were explored using the Sequence Manipulation Suite database to understand the relationship between codons and gene performance. Furthermore, analysis of FAE1-A and FAD2-A gene expression showed peak expression levels in developing seeds approximately 20 days after pollination. Further investigation into these structures promises to enhance our understanding of fat biosynthesis, thereby improving oil quality in C. sativa.