Expression of IQ-motif genes in human cells and ASPM domain structure

Genes encoding multiple IQ-motif proteins have been identified in the human genome and may be regulated by calmodulin (CaM). Three genes of unknown function, abnormal spindle-like primary microcephaly (ASPM), KIAA0036, and KIAA1023, were expressed strongly in nearly all transformed human cell lines and in a panel of 16 adult human tissues by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. However, ASPM gene expression was not detected in adult brain or skeletal muscle. To better understand function, the domain structure of ASPM was examined. Abnormal spindle-like primary (ASP) protein (abnormal spindle) of Drosophila spp, an orthologue of ASPM, is involved in mitosis, and mutations lead to abnormal spindles and inhibition of cytokinesis. Studies of ASP have indicated that a microtubule binding region exists on the N-terminal third of the protein. Reiterative searches of the protein database using PSI-BLAST identified a common putative microtubular binding domain of 240 residues designated as MTASP. This nearly "all alpha" domain occurs in >25 related proteins including ASP and ASPM. The major C-terminal region of MTASP is basic with conserved hydrophobic residues and terminates at a flanking actin binding (CH) domain. This region is somewhat similar to other microtubule binding proteins such as MAP1B, MAP2, and tau. Multiple IQ motifs and often a conserved C-terminal domain occur in the remaining sequence. The multidomain structure of ASPM suggests a role in the coordination of cell cycle events. The extensive expression of multiple IQ-motif genes and the absence of ASPM in nondividing adult brain and skeletal muscle also suggest a role in cell division.