Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.5562/cca1862

Characterization of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Gene and Protein from Marine Sponge Suberites domuncula

Drago Perina ; Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, P.O. Box 170, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia
Andreja Mikoč ; Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, P.O. Box 170, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia
Matija Harcet ; Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, P.O. Box 170, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia
Mirna Imešek ; Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, P.O. Box 170, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia
Dujo Sladojević ; Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, P.O. Box 170, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Brcko ; Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, P.O. Box 170, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia
Helena Ćetković ; Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, P.O. Box 170, HR-10002 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a member of Tec family of protein tyrosine kinases. It is expressed
in B cells and myeloid cells in humans and it is crucial for maturation of B-lineage lymphoid
cells. Mutations in the gene encoding human Btk result in hereditary immunodeficiency X-linked
agammaglobulinemia. Sponge proteins can probably reflect characteristics of the ancestral metazoan
homologues before their diversifications and specializations in complex animals.
Gene coding for sponge Btk-like protein was fully characterized and its structure was compared
with homologous genes from other organisms. Kinase activity of sponge protein was compared to human
Btk activity.
We showed that sponge Btk-like gene is probably the most ancient member of Tec family while other
members arose from the ancestral gene present in chordate ancestor. The ancestral-type protein was
structurally and functionally similar to the highly sophisticated enzyme it is today, whose functions are
usually associated with higher Metazoa. (doi: 10.5562/cca1862)

Keywords

Porifera; Btk; Tec family PTK; gene structure

Hrčak ID:

84542

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/84542

Publication date:

11.5.2012.

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