A computational study on the structure–function relationships of plant caleosins

Abstract

Plant cells store energy in oil bodies constructed by structural proteins such as oleosins and caleosins. Although oil bodies usually accumulate in the seed and pollen of plants, caleosins are present in various organs and organelles. This issue, coupled with the diverse activities of caleosins, complicates the description of these oleo-proteins. Therefore, the current article proposes a new classification based on the bioinformatics analysis of the transmembrane topology of caleosins. Accordingly, the non-membrane class are the most abundant and diverse caleosins, especially in lower plants. Comparing the results with other reports suggests a stress response capacity for these caleosins. However, other classes play a more specific role in germination and pollination. A phylogenetic study also revealed two main clades that were significantly different in terms of caleosin type, expression profile, molecular weight, and isoelectric point (P < 0.01). In addition to the biochemical significance of the findings, predicting the structure of caleosins is necessary for constructing oil bodies used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.