Affiliations: School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of
Science and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi,
Malaysia | Malaysia Genome Institute, UKM-MTDC Smart Technology
Centre, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia
Abstract: Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have enabled
elucidation of whole genome information from a plethora of organisms. In
parallel with this technology, various bioinformatics tools have driven the
comparative analysis of the genome sequences between species and within
isolates. While drawing meaningful conclusions from a large amount of raw
material, computer-aided identification of suitable targets for further
experimental analysis and characterization, has also led to the prediction of
non-human homologous essential genes in bacteria as promising candidates for
novel drug discovery. Here, we present a comparative genomic analysis to
identify essential genes in Burkholderia pseudomallei. Our in
silico prediction has identified 312 essential genes which could also be
potential drug candidates. These genes encode essential proteins to support the
survival of B. pseudomallei including outer-inner membrane and surface
structures, regulators, proteins involved in pathogenenicity, adaptation,
chaperones as well as degradation of small and macromolecules, energy
metabolism, information transfer, central/intermediate/miscellaneous metabolism
pathways and some conserved hypothetical proteins of unknown function.
Therefore, our in silico approach has enabled rapid screening and
identification of potential drug targets for further characterization in the
laboratory.
