Functional diversity of ankyrin repeats in microbial proteins.
The ankyrin repeat (ANK) is the most common protein-protein interaction motif in nature, and is predominantly found in eukaryotic proteins. Genome sequencing of various pathogenic or symbiotic bacteria and eukaryotic viruses has identified numerous genes encoding ANK-containing proteins that are proposed to have been acquired from eukaryotes by horizontal gene transfer. However, the recent discovery of additional ANK-containing proteins encoded in the genomes of archaea and free-living bacteria suggests either a more ancient origin of the ANK motif or multiple convergent evolution events. Many bacterial pathogens employ various types of secretion systems to deliver ANK-containing proteins into eukaryotic cells, where they mimic or manipulate various host functions. Studying the molecular and biochemical functions of this family of proteins will enhance our understanding of important host-microbe interactions.
Al-Khodor
Souhaila
S
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
Price
Christopher T
CT
Kalia
Awdhesh
A
Abu Kwaik
Yousef
Y
D017089:Ankyrin Repeat; D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D011485:Protein Binding; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins