title: Characterization of the SCP/TAPS gene family in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: The SCP/Tpx-1/Ag5/PR-1/Sc7 (SCP/TAPS) gene family encodes proteins found in many eukaryotes. SCP/TAPS proteins are defined by the presence of an SCP/TAPS domain, and many participate in important physiological processes. Five SCP/TAPS genes were previously identified in Drosophila melanogaster and are expressed in the digestive tract or in the testes. Sequence databases were searched to determine if other SCP/TAPS genes were present in D. melanogaster, and an additional 21 SCP/TAPS genes were identified. To further define the roles of these genes, the structures of each gene and protein were analyzed. Based on these analyses, 25 SCP/TAPS genes could be placed into one of two groups. Each group contained conserved intron positions that were not shared with the other group. Proteins encoded by group 1 genes also shared additional sequence motifs and conserved cysteines not found in group 2 proteins. To determine if the two groups were expressed differently, reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to examine expression in adult flies. The results indicated that most genes were preferentially expressed in adult males, suggesting a role for these genes in male reproduction. Members of both groups displayed this preferential expression, so it was not group-specific. The two groups may differ in localization rather than function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Mathematics, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, 4901 East University Boulevard, Odessa, TX 79762, USA. kovalick_g@utpb.edu
authors.forename: Gae E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Kovalick
authors.forename: Donna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins