<![CDATA[Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important legume crop widely cultivated as a source of edible oil and plant-based protein. The quality of peanut oil is largely determined by its fatty acid composition, particularly the oleic to linoleic acid ratio, which is regulated by the fatty acid desaturase gene AhFAD2. This gene catalyzes the conversion of oleic acid into linoleic acid, and natural mutations within AhFAD2 are associated with the high-oleic trait that improves oxidative stability and storage quality of peanut oil. This study aimed to characterize the AhFAD2 gene using a bioinformatics approach to elucidate its molecular structure and functional properties. Gene sequences were retrieved from the NCBI GenBank database and analyzed using multiple sequence alignment to identify genetic variations such as SNPs and insertions/deletions. Protein domain analysis was performed using InterProScan, while functional annotation was supported by UniProtKB. Amino acid sequences were translated using the ExPASy Translate Tool and further examined for conserved motifs and structural features. The results revealed a high level of sequence conservation across accessions, with limited nucleotide variation. The AhFAD2 protein contains a conserved omega-6 fatty acid desaturase domain, histidine-rich catalytic motifs, and transmembrane helices typical of endoplasmic reticulum membrane proteins. Structural prediction indicated stable conformational regions that support its catalytic role in fatty acid desaturation. Overall, these findings provide comprehensive bioinformatics insights into AhFAD2 and support its potential application in peanut breeding programs aimed at improving oil quality.]]>
