Molecular Cloning and In Silico Sequence Analysis of Glycine Betaine Biosynthesis Genes

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Glycine betaine (N, N, N-trimethylglycine) is a effective compatible solute, which maintains fluidity of membranes and protects the biological structure of the organisms under stress. In this study, betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (GbsA) and betaine alcohol dehydrogenase (GbsB) genes encoding for glycine betaine biosynthesis were PCR amplified from genomic DNA of Bacillus subtilis isolated from salted anchovies (Thrissina thryssa) collected from retail fish market of Cochin, Kerala, India.

Soil microorganisms are subjected to frequent fluctuations in the osmotic conditions of their habitat due to drying and wetting of the soil. Bacteria must have active mechanisms to compete successfully for their ecological niche. The more effective defense against these conditions is the accumulation of osmoprotectants, which can be amassed to high intracellular levels without disturbing essential functions of the cell.

One of the most important osmoprotectants is glycine betaine. Synthesis of glycine betaine from choline is a two-step oxidation process with glycine betaine aldehyde as the intermediate. Characterization of glycine betaine has been most intensively studied at both the molecular and biochemical levels for E. coli. In E. coli, choline dehydrogenase (betA) oxidizes choline to glycine betaine aldehyde and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (betB), converts glycine betaine aldehyde to the osmoprotectant glycine betaine.

The choline-glycine betaine synthesis pathway is an important facet in Bacillus subtilis to high osmolarity stress. However, the genetic and biochemical details governing choline uptake and glycine betaine synthesis have remained largely unknown.

Aaron Province
Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
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