Phylogenetic study to analyse the evolutionary relationship of taxonomically diverse α-amylases

Abstract

Microbial α-amylases have been identified and characterized to understand their progressive role in industrial applications. Computational biology tools are employed in various in-silico studies for finding out the ways to improve the titre of this enzyme with improved stability and specificity. This study includes detailed evolutionary analysis and comparison of α-amylase amino acid sequences found in a wide spectrum of microorganisms like algae, bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, and plants. We analysed the conservation patterns and signature modules in molecular architectures to study the phylogenetic relationship among various microbial and plant taxa. Additionally, efforts were made to identify signal peptides responsible for the secretion of α-amylase protein outside the cell. Our results concluded the presence of different types of domains with their single or multiple copies, and distinct signal peptides which may alter the overall functioning and secretion efficiency of enzyme. Collectively, overall molecular diversity leads to adaptive evolution of α-amylase in different microbes and plants.