Haspin-like proteins: A new family of evolutionarily conserved putative eukaryotic protein kinases

Higgins, JMG

Jmg. Higgins, Haspin-like proteins: A new family of evolutionarily conserved putative eukaryotic protein kinases, PROTEIN SCI, 10(8), 2001, pp. 1677-1684

27

INGLESE

Article

Biochemistry & Biophysics

PROTEIN SCIENCE

0961-8368 → ACNP

10

8

2001

1677 - 1684

ISI

0961-8368(200108)10:8<1677:HPANFO>2.0.ZU;2-N

Haspin (haploid germ cell-specific nuclear protein kinase) is reported to b e a serine/threonine kinase that may play a role in cell-cycle cessation an d differentiation of haploid germ cells. In addition, Haspin mRNA can be de tected in diploid cell lines and tissues. Here, Haspin-like proteins are id entified in several major eukaryotic phyla-including yeasts, plants, flies, fish, and mammals-and an extended group in Caenorhabditis elegans. The Has pin-like proteins have a complete but divergent eukaryotic protein kinase d omain sequence. Although clearly related to one another and to other eukary otic protein kinases, the Haspin-related proteins lack conservation of a su bset of residues that are almost invariant in known kinases and possess dis tinctive inserted regions. In fact, phylogenetic analysis indicates that th e Haspin-like proteins form a novel eukaryotic protein kinase family distin ct from those previously defined. The identification of related proteins in model organisms provides some initial insight into their functional proper ties and will provide new experimental avenues by which to determine the fu nction of the Haspin proteins in mammalian cells.