Proteomic Analysis of the Protein Expression Profile in the Mature Nigella sativa (Black Seed)

Abstract

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed has been used as an important nutritional flavoring agent and in traditional medicine for treating many illnesses since ancient times. Understanding the proteomic component of the seed may lead to enhance the understanding of its structural and biological functional complexity. In this study, we have analyzed its proteome profile based on gel-based proteome mapping technique that includes one-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry strategy. We have not come across any such studies that have been performed in N. sativa seeds up to date. A total of 277 proteins were identified, and their functional, metabolic, and location-wise annotations were carried out using the UniProt database. The majority of proteins identified in the proteome dataset based on their function were those involved in enzyme catalytic activity, nucleotide binding, and protein binding while the major cellular processes included regulation of biological process followed by regulation of secondary biological process, cell organization and biogenesis, protein metabolism, and transport. The identified proteome was localized mainly to the nucleus then to the cytoplasm, plasma membrane, mitochondria, plastid, and others. A majority of the proteins were involved in biochemical pathways involving carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid and shikimate pathway, lipid metabolism, nucleotide, cell organization and biogenesis, transport, and defense processes. The identified proteins in the dataset help to improve our understanding of the pathways involved in N. sativa seed metabolism and its biochemical features and detail out useful information that may help to utilize these proteins. This study could thus pave a way for future further high-throughput studies using a more targeted proteomic approach.

The Immunomodulatory Effect of Nigella sativa

“…Some methods allow the isolation of macromolecules, such as proteins. In 2016, innovative research was conducted on the proteome of Nigella sativa seeds [38]. The researchers analyzed the protein profile of NS seeds with a proteome mapping technique using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry strategies.…”

Proteomic Contributions to Medicinal Plant Research: From Plant Metabolism to Pharmacological Action

“…In addition to the popular plants, some of the indigenous and underutilized plants were analyzed for their phytochemicals and physiology [ 73 ]. Proteomic profiles of plants such as Nigella sativa , Moringa oleifera , and Pseudostellaria heterophylla that are used in traditional medicine have been published [ 74 , 75 , 76 ]. Protein extraction was optimized for seagrass species Zostera muelleri and Posidonia australis , which contain hundreds of bioactive compounds and are used as cosmetic additives [ 77 , 78 ].…”

Identification of Novel Proteins from Black Cumin Seed Meals Based on 2D Gel Electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS Analysis

“…For example, the proteins in the hydro-methanolic fraction of N. sativa seeds represented approximately 35-40% of the total dry weight and were found to separate into bands ranging from 10 to 94 kDa on SDS PAGE [14]. The majority of the identified proteins in black cumin seeds were involved in biochemical pathways involving carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid and shikimate pathway, lipid metabolism, nucleotide, cell organization and biogenesis, transport, and defense processes [15]. While detailed studies of the defined proteins were not performed, these investigators have identified a total of 277 proteins using metabolic and proteomic approaches [10].…”