Computational and experimental analysis reveals a novel Src family kinase in the C. elegans genome.
BACKGROUND
The complete genomes of a number of organisms have already been sequenced. However, the vast majority of annotated genes are derived by gene prediction methods. It is important to not only validate the predicted coding regions but also to identify genes that may have been missed by these programs.


METHODS
We searched the entire C.elegans genomic sequence database maintained by the Sanger Center using human c-Src sequence in a TBLASN search. We have confirmed one of the predicted regions by isolation of a cDNA and carried out a phylogenetic analysis of Src kinase family members in the worm, fly and several vertebrate species.


RESULTS
Our analysis identified a novel tyrosine kinase in the C.elegans genome that contains functional features typical of the Src family kinases that we have designated as Src-1. The open reading frame contains a conserved N-terminal myristoylation site and a tyrosine residue within the C-terminus that is crucial for regulating the activity of Src kinases. Our phylogenetic analysis of Src family members from C. elegans, Drosophila and other higher organisms revealed a relationship among Src kinases from C. elegans and Drosophila.
Pandey
Akhilesh
A
Center for Experimental Bioinformatics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, DK-5230, Denmark. pandey@cebi.sdu.dk
Peri
Suraj
S
Thacker
Colin
C
Whipple
Chery A
CA
Collins
John J
JJ
Mann
Matthias
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002645:Chickens; D003532:Cyprinodontiformes; D004330:Drosophila; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016678:Genome; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D016415:Sequence Alignment / Q000379:methods*; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein / Q000379:methods; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013045:Species Specificity; D014982:Xenopus laevis; D018909:src Homology Domains / Q000235:genetics; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*
D019061:src-Family Kinases