What are Protein Domains?
Protein domains are sequences on a particular protein that is well-characterized in its structure and function [1]. Protein domains are often very similar among species within a similarly functioning protein. Each protein domain can have a unique purpose and can be critical to the overall functions of the protein. Through long periods of time, the domains of a particular protein can differ from species to species because of duplication, deletion, rearrangement mutations [1]. Analyzing the similarities and differences in the protein domains of species can provide further evidence of how the protein functions within each organism. The protein domains can be used to determine the function of the protein, compare protein homologs, and construct protein families [1]. The analysis of protein domains can be conducted through databases such as PFAM or SMART for protein homologs of interest.
Protein Domains within DYRK1A
The Nuclear Localization Sequence (or NLS) is a domain on DYRK1A. The NLS domain on DYRK1A is responsible for transporting the protein into the nucleus when necessary [2].
The protein kinase (p-kinase) domain of DYRK1A is responsible for interacting with other proteins and facilitating the phosphorylation of those proteins [2].
The PEST domain of DYRK1A is a polypeptide sequence rich in proline (P), glutamic acid (E), serine (S), and threonine (T). This region is often associated with proteins with short half-lives in the cytoplasm and may play a role in tagging the protein for degradation [3].
The protein kinase (p-kinase) domain of DYRK1A is responsible for interacting with other proteins and facilitating the phosphorylation of those proteins [2].
The PEST domain of DYRK1A is a polypeptide sequence rich in proline (P), glutamic acid (E), serine (S), and threonine (T). This region is often associated with proteins with short half-lives in the cytoplasm and may play a role in tagging the protein for degradation [3].
Discussion
The DYRK1A protein found in humans has been shown to have homologs in many different organisms with nervous systems. Knowing the important regulatory roles DYRK1A plays in larger organisms with complex central nervous systems, it is no surprise that one would see higher conserved regions for those organisms. The zebrafish contains a DYRK1A homolog with a relatively conserved protein sequence compared to humans. It is also known that zebrafish contain a similar CNS and PNS nervous system and early developmental gene expression. These characteristics would be important for a model organism to have in order to analyze DYRK1A and its role in neural proliferation in the brain.
References
[1] ProteinStructures.com. (n.d.) Protein Domains and Domain Classification. Retrieved from: https://proteinstructures.com/Structure/Structure/protein-domains.html
[2] https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q13627
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene?Db=gene&Cmd=DetailsSearch&Term=1859
[2] https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q13627
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene?Db=gene&Cmd=DetailsSearch&Term=1859
This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison.