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Genes encoding WFDC- and Kunitz-type protease inhibitor domains: are they related?

Lundwall, Åke LU and Clauss, Adam (2011) In Biochemical Society Transactions 39(5). p.1398-1402
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that the genes of SCPs (semen coagulum proteins) and the WFDC (whey acidic protein four-disulfide core)-type protease inhibitor elafin are homologous in spite of lacking similarity between their protein products. This led to the discovery of a locus on human chromosome 20, encompassing genes of the SCPs, SEMG1 (semenogelin I) and SEMG2, and 14 genes containing the sequence motif that is characteristic of WFDC-type protease inhibitors. We have now identified additional genes at the locus that are similarly organized, but which give rise to proteins containing the motif of Kunitz-type protease inhibitors. Here, we discuss the evolution of genes encoding SCPs and describe mechanisms by which they and genes with... (More)
We have previously demonstrated that the genes of SCPs (semen coagulum proteins) and the WFDC (whey acidic protein four-disulfide core)-type protease inhibitor elafin are homologous in spite of lacking similarity between their protein products. This led to the discovery of a locus on human chromosome 20, encompassing genes of the SCPs, SEMG1 (semenogelin I) and SEMG2, and 14 genes containing the sequence motif that is characteristic of WFDC-type protease inhibitors. We have now identified additional genes at the locus that are similarly organized, but which give rise to proteins containing the motif of Kunitz-type protease inhibitors. Here, we discuss the evolution of genes encoding SCPs and describe mechanisms by which they and genes with Kunitz motifs might have evolved from genes with WFDC motifs. We can also demonstrate an expansion of the WFDC locus with 0.6 Mb in the cow. The region, which seems to be specific to ruminants, contains several genes and pseudogenes with Kunitz motifs, one of which is the much-studied BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor). (Less)
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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Biochemical Society Transactions
volume
39
issue
5
pages
1398 - 1402
publisher
Biochemical Society
external identifiers
  • wos:000295745200049
  • pmid:21936822
  • scopus:80053347479
  • pmid:21936822
ISSN
0300-5127
DOI
10.1042/BST0391398
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5cd7aef0-5f64-4316-9390-f54d6623495d (old id 2168673)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21936822?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 07:55:33
date last changed
2022-01-29 02:49:03
@article{5cd7aef0-5f64-4316-9390-f54d6623495d,
  abstract     = {{We have previously demonstrated that the genes of SCPs (semen coagulum proteins) and the WFDC (whey acidic protein four-disulfide core)-type protease inhibitor elafin are homologous in spite of lacking similarity between their protein products. This led to the discovery of a locus on human chromosome 20, encompassing genes of the SCPs, SEMG1 (semenogelin I) and SEMG2, and 14 genes containing the sequence motif that is characteristic of WFDC-type protease inhibitors. We have now identified additional genes at the locus that are similarly organized, but which give rise to proteins containing the motif of Kunitz-type protease inhibitors. Here, we discuss the evolution of genes encoding SCPs and describe mechanisms by which they and genes with Kunitz motifs might have evolved from genes with WFDC motifs. We can also demonstrate an expansion of the WFDC locus with 0.6 Mb in the cow. The region, which seems to be specific to ruminants, contains several genes and pseudogenes with Kunitz motifs, one of which is the much-studied BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor).}},
  author       = {{Lundwall, Åke and Clauss, Adam}},
  issn         = {{0300-5127}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{1398--1402}},
  publisher    = {{Biochemical Society}},
  series       = {{Biochemical Society Transactions}},
  title        = {{Genes encoding WFDC- and Kunitz-type protease inhibitor domains: are they related?}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/BST0391398}},
  doi          = {{10.1042/BST0391398}},
  volume       = {{39}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}