title: The Ras protein superfamily: evolutionary tree and role of conserved amino acids.
abstract: The Ras superfamily is a fascinating example of functional diversification in the context of a preserved structural framework and a prototypic GTP binding site. Thanks to the availability of complete genome sequences of species representing important evolutionary branch points, we have analyzed the composition and organization of this superfamily at a greater level than was previously possible. Phylogenetic analysis of gene families at the organism and sequence level revealed complex relationships between the evolution of this protein superfamily sequence and the acquisition of distinct cellular functions. Together with advances in computational methods and structural studies, the sequence information has helped to identify features important for the recognition of molecular partners and the functional specialization of different members of the Ras superfamily.
authors.affiliation: Computational Cell Biology Group, Institute for Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. arojas@imppc.org
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rausell
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valencia
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D018631:ras Proteins