title: SNAMA, a novel protein with a DWNN domain and a RING finger-like motif: a possible role in apoptosis.
abstract: We have characterized SNAMA a hitherto uncharacterized Drosophila protein that appears to play a role in apoptosis. SNAMA (something that sticks like glue) is a 1231 amino acid protein with a conserved 76 residue N-terminal domain called Domain With No Name (DWNN). The DWNN domain was first identified in cytotoxic T Cell-resistant CHO cells using promoter trap mutagenesis to screen for genes involved in apoptosis. Subsequently, this domain was identified in other eukaryotic organisms including animals and plants. The SNAMA transcript is abundant early in embryogenesis but reduced in older embryos and in adult males and females. Human and mouse homologues of SNAMA are known to bind to p53 and to the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) suggesting a role in transcriptional regulation and cell cycle control. We took advantage of a P-element insertion line in which the P-element is inserted in the first intron, to investigate the biological function of the gene. These mutants are lethal when homozygous. Apoptosis appears early during embryogenesis and is observed virtually throughout the gastrula. The DWNN domain has a ubiquitin-like fold and may interact with a subset of cellular proteins. There is also a conserved RING finger-like motif along the sequence of SNAMA following a C2HC zinc finger.
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand. Wits. 2050, South Africa.
authors.forename: Arshad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mather
authors.forename: Mpho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rakgotho
authors.forename: Monde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ntwasa
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C500542:SNAMA protein, Drosophila