This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.
What are protein domains?
A protein domain is a region of protein sequence with a particular structure and function[1]. A protein family is a cluster of proteins found in a variety of organisms that have a common evolutionary origin, reflected by their function in species and organization.
Protein domains of Cry1
What are the Cryptochrome and Photolyase protein families?
The cryptochrome and photolyase families consist of related flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) proteins that function by absorbing blue light [2]. The main function of photolyases is DNA repair caused by UV radiation damage. Cryptochromes, on the other hand, lack DNA repair activity and have slightly different functions in plants and animals.
In insects and plants, CRY1 regulates the circadian clock dependent on light. In mammals CRY1 act independently from light by inhibiting transcriptional components of the circadian clock. |
In what organisms can we find Cry1 protein domains?
Conclusion
CRY1 consists of two protein domains, a photolyase domain and a flavin adenine dinucleotide domain. The characterization of CRY1 protein domains for other organisms was obtained with SMART and Pfam, demonstrating amino acid sequences that are highly conserved between mammals, invertebrates, and plants. Amino acid conservation within species provides insight with respect to the importance of the protein for proper circadian rhythm regulation.
References.
1. What are protein domains? (2016, July 20). Retrieved from https://www.ebi.ac.uk/training/online/course/introduction-protein-classification-ebi/protein-classification/what-are-protein-domains
2. Mei, Q., & Dvornyk, V. (2015). Evolutionary History of the Photolyase/Cryptochrome Superfamily in Eukaryotes. Plos One, 10(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135940
3. EMBL-EBI, I. (n.d.). InterPro. Retrieved from https://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/entry/IPR002081
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1. What are protein domains? (2016, July 20). Retrieved from https://www.ebi.ac.uk/training/online/course/introduction-protein-classification-ebi/protein-classification/what-are-protein-domains
2. Mei, Q., & Dvornyk, V. (2015). Evolutionary History of the Photolyase/Cryptochrome Superfamily in Eukaryotes. Plos One, 10(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135940
3. EMBL-EBI, I. (n.d.). InterPro. Retrieved from https://www.ebi.ac.uk/interpro/entry/IPR002081
Header image.
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Sara Acosta Villarreal Genetics and Genomics, UW-Madison [email protected] Last updated: May 10, 2019 |
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