Dictyostelium discoideum gene family contains a long internal amino acid repeat

Two different cDNA clones denoted pTO270-6 and pTO270-11 represent two mRNAs that are developmentally regulated during spore germination in Dictyostelium discoideum. The respective mRNAs are found only during early germination and are not present in other stages of growth or multicellular development. Four different genomic clones that hybridize to sequences that are common to both of the 270 cDNA clones were isolated from Dictyostelium libraries and sequenced. Two are the genes for the two cDNAs, and the other two represent genes that do not seem to be transcribed. All four genomic sequences possess a very unusual internal feature in the deduced protein sequences composed of a monotonous repeat of the tetrapeptide threonine-glutamic acid-threonine-proline. The other portions of the proteins have no homology among themselves. The deduced protein corresponding to the 270-6 gene is very similar to avocado (Persea americana) cellulase. Since cellulose in the spore wall has to be digested during spore germination this suggests that this protein may function as an endo-(1,4)-beta-D-glucanase during germination.