title: LASS6, an additional member of the longevity assurance gene family.
abstract: Longevity assurance genes (LAGs) represent a subgroup of the homeobox gene family. Five mammalian homologs have been reported, and the corresponding proteins have previously been investigated with respect to their key role in ceramide synthesis. However, members of the LAG family have been shown to be involved in cell growth regulation and cancer differentiation. In an effort to characterize additional members of the LAG family, we have screened the latest releases of genomic databases and report on the bioinformatic characterization of yet another member, LAG1 longevity assurance homolog 6 (LASS6). Like other LAG family members, the LASS6 protein contained a homeodomain and LAG1 domain. In phylogenetic analyses, it displayed highest homology to LASS5. The corresponding gene was localized to human chromosome 2q24.3, spanning a rather large genomic region of 318 kb. Orthologous sequences in mouse and zebrafish suggested a conservation of LASS6 in vertebrates as the protein and corresponding genomic sequences were highly conserved. LASS6 expression was analyzed in silico, and the gene was shown to be broadly expressed in a wide range of tissues. Furthermore, available microarray data suggested a role in cancer differentiation and early embryonic development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55101 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Arndt
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weinmann
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Galle
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teufel
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002889:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D015894:Genome, Human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011487:Protein Conformation; D051381:Rats; D051049:Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C506123:CERS6 protein, human; D051049:Sphingosine N-Acyltransferase