MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING NONG LAM UNIVERSITY-HO CHI MINH CITY FACULTY OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES IN SILICO IDENTIFICATION AND CLONING OF A DEFENSIN GENE FROM THE GENOME OF THE BLACK SOLDIER FLY (HERMETIA ILLUCENS) INTO PLASMID pTAG2 Major : BIOTECHNOLOGY Student : DINH XUAN HOANG Student ID : 19126053 Academic year : 2019-2023 Thu Duc City, 03/2024 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING NONG LAM UNIVERSITY-HO CHI MINH CITY FACULTY OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES GRADUATE THESIS IN SILICO IDENTIFICATION AND CLONING OF A DEFENSIN GENE FROM THE GENOME OF THE BLACK SOLDIER FLY (HERMETIA ILLUCENS) INTO PLASMID pTAG2 Advisor Student LE MINH THONG, Ph. DINH XUAN HOANG Thu Duc City, 03/2024 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the individuals and organizations whose unwavering support and contributions have been invaluable throughout my journey in completing this graduate thesis. First and foremost, I am profoundly thankful to my thesis advisor, Dr. Lê Minh Thông, for his consistent guidance, patience, encouragement, and expertise.
His dedication and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping the direction of this research. Iam sincerely grateful to Dr. Cao Thi Thanh Loan for her companionship and assistance throughout the completion of this thesis. My heartfelt thanks are extended to my family for their boundless love, support, and belief in my abilities.
Their encouragement sustained me during the challenging phases of this journey. I would also like to express my gratitude to the participants of this study, namely Mr. Lê Phi Hung, Mr. Lê Tran Minh Nhân, Mr.
Trần Hoàng Dai Phúc, Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Liêm, Mr. Vĩnh Thịnh, and my laboratory teammates, for their willingness to share insights and provide support. Their contributions are deeply appreciated.
Acknowledgment is due to the LA1.702: Biomedicine and Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory at International University - Vietnam National University and Nong Lam University for providing the necessary resources, facilities, and opportunities that enabled me to undertake this research. I am particularly grateful to the administrators of the Faculty of Biological Sciences and all the lecturers for their unwavering support and resources throughout my studies. Special thanks to Dr. Lê Dinh Đôn, the academic mentor of class DH19SM, for his care and guidance over the five years of my university journey.
This thesis would not have been possible without the collective efforts and support of all those mentioned above. Thank you for being an integral part of this important milestone in my academic career. AFFIRMATION AND COMMITMENT My name is Dinh Xuan Hoang, student ID: 19126053, class: DH19SM (Phone: 0909160537, email: 19126053@st.vn ), Faculty of Biological Sciences, Nong Lam university Ho Chi Minh City. I declared that all results presented in this graduate thesis were conducted by myself.
All the data and information are entirely accurate and unbiased. I fully accept responsibility for these commitments in front of the committee. Thu Due City, February 28", 2024 Student’s signature Dinh Xuan Hoang 1 ABSTRACT The study was conducted to explore the capabilities of in silico techniques and gene cloning methods in identifying and cloning genes encoding antimicrobial peptides from the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) into the pTAG2 plasmid vector. To demonstrate the efficacy of this approach, PCR and cloning experiments were performed to identify specific peptide-encoding genes from the genome of Hermetia illucens.
Analysis of the results using various machine learning algorithms available on the CAMP database revealed that all 31 putative defensin genes exhibited antimicrobial activity. Notably, putative defensin chrl def4 showed particularly promising physicochemical properties, with high values for net charge, hydrophobicity, and pI with the Antimicrobial Peptide Database Calculator and Predictor. The successful identification and ligation of the gene encoding chr1_def4 into the pTAG2 vector were achieved through PCR and cloning experiments. The results demonstrate success in identifying and cloning antimicrobial peptide genes from Hermetia illucens.
This development opens the door to further research and potential applications of antimicrobial peptides from this fly species in the medical and environmental industries. Keywords: In silico techniques, gene cloning, antimicrobial peptides, black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), defensin genes. 1H TÓM TẮT Nghiên cứu được thực hiện nhằm khám pha khả năng của các kỹ thuật in silico và phương pháp nhân bản gene trong việc xác định và nhân bản các gen mã hóa các peptid kháng vi khuẩn từ ruôi lính đen (Hermetia illucens) vào vecto plasmid pTAG2. Dé chứng minh hiệu quả của phương pháp này, các thí nghiệm PCR và cloning đã được thực hiện dé xác định các gen mã hóa peptid cụ thé từ genome của Hermefia illucens.
Phân tích kết quả bằng cách sử dụng các thuật toán học máy khác nhau có sẵn trên cơ sở dữ liệu CAMP cho thấy rang tất cả 31 gen putative defensin đều có hoạt tính khang vi khuẩn. Đặc biệt, putative defensin chrl_ def4 đã thể hiện các tính chất vật lý hóa học đáng chú ý, với các giá tri cao cho điện tích rong, tính hydrophobic, và pI khi sử dụng Công cụ và Trình dự đoán Cơ sở dữ liệu Peptid Kháng khuẩn. Việc xác định và chèn thành công gen mã hóa chrl_ deÊ1 vào vectơ pTAG2 đã được đạt được thông qua các thí nghiệm PCR và cloning. Kết quả này chứng tỏ sự thành công trong việc xác định và nhân bản các gen mã hóa peptid khang vi khuẩn tir Hermetia illucens.
Sự phát triển này mở ra cánh cửa cho các nghiên cứu tiếp theo và các ứng dụng tiềm năng của các peptid kháng vi khuẩn từ loài ruồi này trong các ngành y tế và môi trường. Từ khóa: kỹ thuật in silico, nhân bản gene, peptid kháng vi khuẩn, ruồi lính den (Hermetia illucens), gen defensin. 1 AFFIRMATION AND COMMTTMENTẺ.-- -- 2 2x +22 tssrrrrrrrrerrrrrrrrrrrres i BÀ G1 RA Có | Merete ee eee ee ee ee ill THTT ee iv COIN TEINS bannrensdennnbisesietisgogtoÐEEHEES-SSE58/SU39009093/302Ị2HgH3038G802XG.00300014009003600900380PoseesrnsnỦ V LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS eeennoeeoissoeioosetisonotdtqlöErAIS00010835i198-0H6/05053/4HSS4GGDSSG:GD3200000 10 vill l2 OE TAB TÚE cst stl ea te Stele ot et aidan sta clam Salto 1X LIST OF EIGURHE. ca S SH H20 0 HH.
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Computational Tools and Algorithms for /n silico Identification of AMPs. 7 2A AINIP proce tl OM wes scesrens essa tiE0001Ÿ60744g5E5 SE0040S)SSRSEGS2. Isolation from Natural SOUFC€S.--- --- 5-5 2+ +2 2 2S HH ng ng ng re 8 2. Cell-free protein synthesis (CIFPS).-- --- c2 21+ S3 E2 ng re 8 2 ban: Coheiriioál VHILHE SÍẾ cosaecssrasscssursaeuaneuresewstesa saw smenssoransun eavuneree enn maae rea remuRaNsER 9 2.
De novo peptide €n81n€€TITE. Recombinant DNA TechnolOBV. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Time and location of the study.
13 32s Materials atid TRO sunngrsssseebsoeseositoextaSBiG6543BSSEB.SESSRSSSGEIBBESEHHHNGEE-ISESGHSHHSIGHSEHESGEESE 13 32Le BHDIPIHEHisseeseesssrsvinsiisiEEEETEEIEGSEERSHSSHEGSGGISEHSEESSSTRNGSGEESOXESEHHEDNHUESHSNESQIISGESNGEIEEE-404EE 13 32-2 Vedi avand, Cl eM CaS css. accsuneanmrecain cetaiste seein nae 13 3.3: BACtETIA 1019 ốc Cố. General scheme of this SfUy.12232212 2 vn ng ngư 14 3. Identification of Candidate Defensin Genes from BSF Genomes (adaped from Duy Son 0.6, Antimicrobial Activity Prediction s,x:ssnccuusmmnnnsmecnnimanusmranreamaaes 16 3.
Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties. BL) Structure AAV S18 enn sneeners meinen eee 17 KV 060/8). 17 Si, L0, DIN A 186 BS HOITossnessssebsinib20038636036/40S000020800G98ESBSG4GB9SSSSEGCSESHEUHGUSGHSHĐ1080/10038033. Gradient conventional PCT.
PCR amplicons purification 11. 18 Ble LTD AO ere ree sees, ee 19 3. Verification of transformants with DNA insert using PCR .15, Competent Cell Preparation sseesssssesaseseebosiiS203540361291800 908961 n93A42E3S7L49g2088 21 32: 16. Heat<SHOGKE tari sloni atl Of seccncesvecxermeonennenenecnancmerenmmneanane ummaenerimennsneres 21 S351 Ts, COLTS PCRboss ssoosis g0ug0%80000g5 160001h01G0/40380155038.0588073g8434SE-GSEEHSữi0GG0KGGSSL8018635309080G010 22 Chapter 4.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIƠN.--- 2c serrirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre 23 VI Als ii (610160 ANALYSIS. táng giang nn hi gà 36815 ErH331903/981430:03638188435515483N44SN44)30/08999531300880L430688 25 4. Antimicrobial activity pT€CICtIOHI. -- SG 2222132112 1E in re 23 4.
The 3D structure analysis of chl deÉ4. Primer design and PCR amplIÍiCatIOT.- --- -- 2+ S2 +32 ***E++E+£E+e+eEeeEeeeererrrrree 28 A De loi PTITITSES CSS 1 Bt sưnnnnii tinttöEEAES008ESEiSSSDNGDTSGHRCGGEEISSEME.NHSSGEGEEERHSSNHIỒNBSSGHSBESISAGHSI2BiBd3BgS. 28 4:2:2: DNA 15OÌBHOT:isssssxsxsscsx51511511513215161358601133335855156555858458156140350141355561404 40504101133 811828E29 Ah Dn BS Ran MENGE LO Uae cars anceneene occ eee apnea tie 10128006E5008070950-07HG/2E023SH-0G013003800 31 4. PCR amplicons DUTIÍICAfIOTI.
E ro no on. Sanger S€dU€TCIT.7: DISGUSSIOÏHiiiesesbiixskssils145123014438184E38338S93E-2SXESEESSSSSE184S38894gS355EBSGSSEESERSS.HESSEEL43SS30susss2ÔÕ Chapter 5. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE séc:--:scoiccsss2ssccbckssg2-kscbSSOkiGSeiedsassaseo2 5.c:zssapsanensazccsstiossesasenemeos nena aT EROS, 55, 1E VÙUEEI¿.siixxsedxskaedasteidzAbrlidkugtiuEBngSEnikda ad tuuiHggilgxEmrostietfiudoacigdjaliegsBGrig2sgii.uiQahjlditrdluznflerdisseiadiraulzSu 2) 9) BEE li KGEELN|SLEĐŠ-asszzezosiztrzEisoiogioiooSozctgstitorkslrEo8t0ggefoxggiu16đ80i224006i0g84g0000g40da0ggg:2nơødovtDbszsiZcinggkiodgvzsi 4] APPENDIX022. 46 Vil LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AMPs : Antimicrobial peptides BSF : Black Soldier Fly LB : Luria—Bertani PCR : Polymerase chain reaction : base pairs DNA : Acid Deoxyribonucleic RNA : Ribonucleic Acid GFP : Green Fluorescent Protein APD3 : Antimicrobial Peptide Database Prediction CFPS : Cell-free protein synthesis vill LIST OF TABLE Page Table 4.1: Antimicrobial predict On.
Set BSF-mDef4 primers InÍOrmafIOH. The NanoDrop spectrophotometer result of DNA 1solation. Reagents of the ligation reaCtION.2 1X LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure 2. Models of antibacterial mechanisms of AMPS.
Adult black soldier fly, Hermetic illucens .-5 55555 <2<<++s£++sc+sss2 6 Figure 3. Distribution of putative defensins on the chromosomes of Hermetia SH NHAC CIS sce ac Rit a Sse SISTA ae i ha ie ena 15 ETiơưure 3:2, BSP defensihi.g[[bTfTNSHÍỂ excpene:sccesucenecusssr coup autastncensued a win teeientues soeseetenstiaauts 16 Figure 3. Vector map of plasitid pTA G2 wvcicc. Comparsion of physiochemical properties of 31 defensins.
Structural representation of chr] deÍ⁄4. -- --55-+++<x++xc+zszerezeexs 28 Figure 4. Check BSF-mDef4 primers specificity usmg NCBI BLAST software. Black solider flies DNA isolation resulÏt.
Gradient PCR of BSF-mDef4 primers with various annealing temperature ee ee ee ee 31 Figure 4. The gel electrophoresis result of purified DNA amplicons. PCR result of checking ligation reaction. Positive control DÏAẲC.
Negative control plate NA. Transformants: plate ssccccsssessssesimssmarsenemenooneremnnommmnamanammene 35 Figure 4. The results of Sanger sequenC1nØ. Problem statement The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in recent decades have spurred the rapid evolution of bacterial defense mechanisms against our most potent antimicrobial drugs.
If this trend continues unchecked, the long-feared post-antibiotic era predicted by experts will soon become a reality, further straining healthcare systems with increasing death tolls and economic burdens. There is an urgent imperative to explore alternative strategies beyond traditional antibiotics that can effectively combat or bypass bacterial resistance, addressing the unmet medical need. Defensins have emerged as a class of anti-infective peptides with high promise based on their conserved nature, broad-spectrum activity profiles, and diverse regulatory roles in insect immune systems. However, to date, much research has focused on model insect species with fewer investigations directed toward more ecologically significant but lesser studied organisms like Hermetia illucens.
By mining the fly genome and experimentally validating predicted defensin genes, this project addresses a clear gap in our knowledge of immune defenses employed by this beneficial insect. Beyond its academic value, such work carries applied relevance. As an insect associated with nutrient-rich environments dense in microbes, Hermetia illucens likely produces potent immune effectors well-adapted for neutralizing threats. Exploring the defensin arsenal of this organism may thus reveal novel drug candidates with strong antimicrobial activities, including against high-priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Furthermore, insights into immune capacity could inform strategies for microbiome management within organic waste treatment systems that utilize BSF larvae as bioconverters. Overall, this study lays the groundwork for a detailed exploration of immune repertoire and function in Hermefia illucens, thereby advancing understanding across both basic and applied scientific domains. Hence, the study "Jn silico identification and cloning of a defensin gene from the genome of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) into plasmid pT AG2" is conducted. Objectives The objective of this study is to identify and analyze putative genes encoding Defensin peptides in Hermetia illucens genome, leveraging machine learning algorithms and prediction tools to assess their antimicrobial potential.
Subsequently, the most promising defensin candidate will be selected for amplification and cloning into plasmid pTAG2.