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Evolutionary Conserved Short Linear Motifs Provide Insights into the Cellular Response to Stress
Sergey P Zavadskiy1, Denis S Gruzdov1, Susanna S Sologova1
1Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia.
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 21, 2023
Summary
Short linear motifs (SLiMs) similar to alpha-fetoprotein segments are conserved across all life. These SLiMs are crucial for cellular adaptation to various environmental stresses, highlighting their fundamental role in cell survival.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Short linear motifs (SLiMs) are short, conserved protein sequences crucial for cellular functions.
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key protein in mammalian embryonic development and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify SLiMs with sequence similarity to AFP segments.
- To investigate the evolutionary conservation and functional roles of these SLiMs across diverse species.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic search for SLiMs homologous to specific AFP peptide sequences (LDSYQCT and EMTPVNPGV).
- Analysis of retrieved proteins from prokaryotic and eukaryotic species.
- Gene Ontology enrichment analysis to determine protein functions.
Main Results:
- A wide range of proteins containing the identified SLiMs were found across all taxonomic categories (viruses, bacteria, archaea, invertebrates, vertebrates).
- Proteins associated with these SLiMs are involved in diverse cellular functions, including stress response (oxidative, metabolic, hypoxia), DNA/RNA damage repair, protein quality control, and immune responses.
- Functional enrichment analysis revealed common roles in cellular adaptation to environmental stress.
Conclusions:
- SLiMs homologous to AFP segments are evolutionarily conserved across all domains of life.
- These conserved SLiMs play significant roles in cellular adaptation to a broad spectrum of environmental stresses.
- The findings provide insights into the fundamental importance of SLiMs in maintaining cellular function and survival.
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