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Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases in protozoa
1Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT. david.baker@lshtm.ac.uk <david.baker@lshtm.ac.uk>
Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|March 17, 2005
Summary
Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) plays vital roles across species. This review highlights protozoan PKG functions, revealing conserved features and variations, with locomotion emerging as a common theme.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is a key intracellular cGMP receptor.
- While mammalian PKG is well-studied, genomic data reveals diverse orthologues in other species.
- Conserved structural and regulatory features exist across evolutionary lineages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on protozoan PKG.
- To explore functional data for non-mammalian PKG isoforms.
- To identify common functional themes in PKG across diverse phyla.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on protozoan PKGs.
- Comparative analysis of PKG orthologues from various species.
- Examination of functional data for non-mammalian PKG isoforms.
Main Results:
- Protozoan PKGs exhibit variations in cGMP-binding sites, sometimes showing degeneracy.
- Significant functional data is emerging for protozoan and other non-mammalian PKGs.
- A recurring role for PKG in regulating locomotion is observed across diverse taxa.
Conclusions:
- PKG's fundamental role in cGMP signaling is conserved evolutionarily.
- Protozoan PKGs present unique characteristics regarding cGMP-binding sites.
- PKG's involvement in locomotion represents a conserved functional theme across a wide range of organisms.