Identification of a gene encoding a typical gamma-carboxyglutamic acid domain in the tunicate Halocynthia roretzi
1Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA.
Abstract:
We report the identification of a gene capable of encoding a novel Gla (gamma-carboxyglutamic acid) protein from the tunicate Halocynthia roretzi, a primitive member of the phylum Chordata. We call this new hypothetical protein Gla-RTK; it has a Gla domain typical of human vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors, a transmembrane domain, and a receptor tyrosine kinase domain. The receptor tyrosine kinase domain is very similar to the ARK (adhesion-related kinase) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. The ARK family includes Axl, Tyro3, and c-Mer. This gene also encodes a propeptide that binds to the human gamma-glutamyl carboxylase within a range of affinities observed for mammalian propeptides. The cDNA for this putative protein is found distributed throughout the oocyte and embryo but the cDNA is apparently not transcribed except during oogenesis. One of the most interesting aspects of this hypothetical protein is that its Gla domain is highly homologous to the Gla domain of Gas6, a ligand for Axl, while its receptor tyrosine kinase domain is highly homologous to Axl.
More Related Videos
09:38Identification of Nucleolar Factors During HIV-1 Replication Through Rev Immunoprecipitation and Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 26, 2019
08:04Identification and Classification of Position-specific GABAA Receptor Subunit Missense Variants for Their Role In Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons
Published on: June 6, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Gene Families
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
Cell Specific Gene Expression
Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane
General Transcription Factors
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
