GENOME-WIDE IDENTIFICATION AND IN SILICO CHARACTERIZATION OF PUTATIVE ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES FROM SEED STORAGE AND DEFENSE PROTEINS OF BRASSICA JUNCEA

Abstract

Seed storage and defense proteins are important parts of innate immunity that often serve as biologically precursors of functional antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). This study develops a genome-wide in silico systematics and evaluation of the hidden cryptic antimicrobial activity of the major seed storage protein families (cruciferin, napin, oleosin) and primary defense protein lines (chitinase, defensin) in Brassica juncea. Thirty-seven genes were found to be homologous by reference sequence alignment and by searching the genome with BLAST and these genes were localized and structurally classified. By using functional screening in the CAMP database and deep characterization at multiple levels, ranging from chromosomal mapping, conserved domain architecture, evolutionary phylogenetics, gene structures, and physicochemical profiling, a high molecular diversity was found. These released pieces were then carefully analyzed through machine learning algorithms to forecast their antimicrobial properties and subjected to thorough screening for toxicity and allergic response patterns. In conclusion, this all-encompassing genome survey serves as a natural and organized library of therapeutic templates in B. juncea, thus providing the theoretical groundwork for the creation of new plant-based biosecurity and health care mechanisms.