Prediction of Molecular Structure and Effects of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Ovine Leptin - In Silico

Leptin hormone acts as a nutritional signal that link metabolic status and neuro endocrine control of growth and reproduction. The objective of this study was to predict the molecular structure and effects of single nucleotide polymorphism in ovine leptin using computational methods. Data used for the study was obtained from database of national center for biotechnology information (GenBank). The physico chemical characteristics of ovine leptin was evaluated using Protparam server. The secondary structure was predicted using Raptor X protein structure prediction server, the analysis showed 4% alpha helix, 45% beta turns, 49% coiled and 3% disordered positions. Evaluation of solvent accessibility indicate 45% exposed, 37% medium and 17% buried. The 3D structure of leptin was predicted using Raptor X protein structure prediction server. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms was done using Protein Variation Effect Analyzer (PROVEAN). The results indicate that the 2 amino acid substitutions evaluated had no effect on the functions of ovine leptin (Neutral). Investigations of the molecular structure and association studies on single nucleotide polymorphisms in ovine leptin can provide useful information for genetic selection in sheep.

Keywords: Analysis, Molecular structure, ovine, Leptin, In silico.