Abstract. Ankyrin repeat, one of the most widely existing protein motifs in nature, consists of 30-34 amino acid residues and exclusively functions to mediate protein-protein interactions, some of which are directly involved in the development of human cancer and other diseases.

What do ankyrin repeats bind?

Abstract. Ankyrin repeat, one of the most widely existing protein motifs in nature, consists of 30-34 amino acid residues and exclusively functions to mediate protein-protein interactions, some of which are directly involved in the development of human cancer and other diseases.

Where is ankyrin Found?

In red blood cells, ankyrin-1 is located at the cell membrane, where it attaches (binds) to other membrane proteins. The binding of membrane proteins to one another maintains the stability and structure of red blood cells but also allows for their flexibility.

What are ankyrin and spectrin?

Spectrin and ankyrin are membrane skeletal proteins that contribute to mechanical support of plasma membranes and micron-scale organization of diverse membrane-spanning proteins.

What type of protein is spectrin?

cytoskeletal protein
Spectrin is a cytoskeletal protein that lines the intracellular side of the plasma membrane in eukaryotic cells. Spectrin forms pentagonal or hexagonal arrangements, forming a scaffold and playing an important role in maintenance of plasma membrane integrity and cytoskeletal structure.

Is spectrin an integral protein?

Some researchers thought spectrin was typical of membrane proteins in general. Singer’s model, however, proposed that integral membrane proteins, which passed through the membrane, would be insoluble in water. In contrast, proteins like spectrin belonged to a distinct category.

What are ankyrin repeat domains?

Ankyrin repeats typically fold together to form a single, linear solenoid structure called ankyrin repeat domains. These domains are one of the most common protein–protein interaction platforms in nature. They occur in a large number of functionally diverse proteins, mainly from eukaryotes.

How many repeats does an Ankyrin motif have?

Most proteins that contain the motif have four to six repeats, although its namesake ankyrin contains 24, and the largest known number of repeats is 34, predicted in a protein expressed by Giardia lamblia. Ankyrin repeats typically fold together to form a single, linear solenoid structure called ankyrin repeat domains.

What is Lily ankyrin repeat-containing protein (llank)?

Among those that exhibited significant differential expression, a cDNA named lily ankyrin repeat-containing protein (LlANK) was thoroughly studied. The full-length LlANK cDNA sequence predicts a protein containing five tandem ankyrin repeats and a RING zinc-finger domain. The LlANK protein possesses ubiquitin ligase activity in vitro.

What are ankyrin-repeat proteins and how do they cause disease?

Ankyrin-repeat proteins have been associated with a number of human diseases. These proteins include the cell cycle inhibitor p16, which is associated with cancer, and the Notch protein (a key component of cell signalling pathways) which can cause the neurological disorder CADASIL when the repeat domain is disrupted by mutations.