De novo transcriptome analysis of Rhizophora mucronata Lam. furnishes evidence for the existence of glyoxalase system correlated to glutathione metabolic enzymes and glutathione regulated transporter in salt tolerant mangroves.

The accumulation of a metabolic by product - methylglyoxal above a minimal range can be highly toxic in all organisms. Stress induced elevation in methylglyoxal inactivates proteins and nucleic acids. Glutathione dependent glyoxalase enzymes like glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II together with glutathione independent glyoxalase III play inevitable role in methylglyoxal detoxification. Glyoxalase genes are generally conserved but with obvious exceptions. Mangroves being potent harsh land inhabitants, their internal organelles are constantly been exposed to elevated levels of methylglyoxal. First and foremost it is important to detect the presence of glyoxalases in mangroves. De novo transcriptome analysis of mangrove species Rhizophora mucronata Lam., identified eleven putative glyoxalase proteins (RmGLYI-1 to 5, RmGLYII-1 to 5 and RmGLYIII). Molecular characterization proposed PLN02300 or PLN02367 as the key domains of RmGLYI proteins. They possess molecular weight ranging from 26.45 to 32.53 kDa and may localize in cytosol or chloroplast. RmGLYII proteins of molecular weight 28.64-36 kDa, carrying PLN02398 or PLN02469 domains are expected to be localized in diverse cellular compartments. Cytosolic RmGLYIII with DJ-1/PfpI domain carries a molecular weight 26.4 kDa. Detailed structural analysis revealed monomeric nature of RmGLYI-1 and RmGLYII-1 whereas RmGLYIII is found to be homodimer. Molecular phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignment specified conserved metal ion/substrate binding residues of RmGLY proteins. Estimation of relative expression of glyoxalases under salt stress indicated the prominence of RmGLYI and RmGLYII over RmGLYIII. The aforementioned prominence is supported by salt induced expression difference of glutathione metabolic enzymes and glutathione regulated transporter protein.