in silico analysis and molecular modeling of rna polymerase, sigma s (rpos) protein in pseudomonas aeruginosa pao1

background: sigma factors are proteins that regulate transcription in bacteria. sigma factors can be activated in response to different environmental conditions. the rpos (rna polymerase, sigma s) gene encodes sigma-38 (σ38, or rpos), a 37.8 kda protein in pseudomonas aeruginosa (p. aeruginosa) strains. rpos is a central regulator of the general stress response and operates in both retroactive and proactive manners; not only does it allow the cell to survive environmental challenges; it also prepares the cell for subsequent stresses (cross-protection). methods: the significance of rpos for stress resistance and protein expression in stationary-phase p. aeruginosa cells was assessed. the goal of the current study was to characterize rpos of p. aeruginosa pao1 using bioinformatics tools. results: the results showed that rpos is an unstable protein that belongs to the sigma-70 factor family. secondary structure analysis predicted that random coil is the predominant structure followed by extended alpha helix. the three-dimensional (3d) structure was modeled using swiss-model workspace. conclusion: determination of sequence, function, structure, and predicted epitopes of rpos is important for modeling of inhibitors that will help in the design of new drugs to combat multi-drug-resistant (mdr) strains. such information may aid in the development of new diagnostic tools, drugs, and vaccines for treatment in endemic regions.