Proteomas órgão/estados de hidratação específicos de Selaginella convoluta para investigação de estratégias metabólicas de tolerância à dessecação

Abstract

Selaginella convoluta is a lycophyte native to the Caatinga biome that belongs to the group of resurrection plants. Selaginella genus is known to possess a wide diversity of chemically unique molecules, especially those that encompasses the biflavonoids and selaginellins, the latter being exclusive to its species. The present project aims to study the occurrence of secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical interest in S. convoluta, based on previous proteome data obtained from shoots and roots under desiccation and hydrated conditions, with special interest in the study of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical interest. The instrumental analysis of the proteome was performed in a UPLC coupled with a linear trap quadrupole mass spectrometer, and the treatment of the data was carried out by the PatternLab for Proteomics software. The proteome results emphasize the preparation of the species to tolerate desiccation through coordinated mechanisms of protection and inter-organ signaling. Shoots stand out as the main organ in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, however it is noticeable the involvement and communication of the plant as a whole in the recruitment of enzymes present in biosynthetic pathways. In this sense, those linked to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis suggest the production of coumarins and lignins, also showing the enzyme polyphenol oxidase, an important regulator of the phenylpropanoid pathway, as active in the synthesis of natural products in S. convoluta. The presented approaches contribute to the insertion of innovative methods in the study of molecules from Caatinga species, as well as allows the resolution of frontier issues in the study of plant species with a focus on bioactive potential molecule biosynthesis, wich promotes this exclusive biome in the highly biotechnological impact in Brazil.