European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Authors
Chittaranjan Baruah, Papari Devi, DK Sharma

Abstract
An in-silico study has been performed for sequence analysis, tertiary structure prediction and evolutionary characterization of fourrnselected proteins from the highly endangered Southeast Asian turtle species under the genera Pangshura and Batagur (Testudines:rnGeoemydidae: Pangshura and Batagur). The analyses were performed using the sequence data of Cytochrome c oxidase subunit-I,rnNADH- dehydrogenase subunit 4 (NADH4), Recombination activating protein 1 (RAG 1) and Recombination activating protein 2rn(RAG 2). The study represents the application of comparative modelling method for protein 3D structure prediction. The evolutionaryrnanalyses were conducted in MEGA5 using Maximum Likelihood and Neighbour- Joining methods. The results showed that the P.rnsmithii and P. tentoria are the sister species followed by P. tecta and P. sylhetensis their successive sister-taxa. The overall Qualityrnfactors predicted by ERRAT verification programme for the predicted 3D structures are more than 95%. After successful verificationrnof the coordinate files, the structures were deposited to PMDB Protein Model Database of University of Rome and available forrnfurther uses. The computational models of the proteins could be of use for further evaluation of molecular mechanism of function.rnThe present study also provides an indispensable groundwork for future conservation and genetic analysis of other turtle genera.