Identification of sequences encoding for NCR-peptides and defensins in the 'meta-assembly' of transcriptome of pea (Pisum sativum L.) nitrogen-fixing nodules

Abstract

Background. The active and careless applying of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture leads to the emergence of resistance to the existing antimicrobial drugs, which reduces the effectiveness of their use. One of the ways to solve this problem is the development of new antibiotics based on plant peptides with antimicrobial activity, for example plant defensins (which identified in all plants) and NCR peptides that are specifically synthesized in nodules of some leguminous plants. Materials and methods. In the present study, a meta-assembly of a transcriptome was constructed based on publicly available RNA-sequencing transcriptomes of pea nodules (Pisum sativum L.). This meta-assembly was used to search for sequences encoding antimicrobial peptides. Results. As a result, 55 and 908 unique sequences encoding defensins and NCR peptides, respectively, were identified. The recognition site for the signal peptidase was predicted and sequences were divided into the signal and mature part of the peptide. Among mature defensins, 22 peptides possess in silico predicted antimicrobial activity, and for the NCR peptides family their number was 422. Conclusion. Sequences encoding defensins and NCR peptides expressed in nitrogen-fixing pea nodules were identified. They are candidates for testing their antimicrobial activity in vitro.