Structure-Based Phylogenetic Analysis of the Lipocalin Superfamily

摘要: Lipocalins constitute a superfamily of extracellular proteins that are found in all three kingdoms life. Although very divergent their sequences and functions, they show remarkable similarity 3-D structures. bind transport small hydrophobic molecules. Earlier sequence-based phylogenetic studies lipocalins highlighted have long evolutionary history. However the molecular structural basis functional diversity is not completely understood. The main objective present study to understand using structure-based approach. with 39 protein domains from lipocalin suggests clusters obtained by phylogeny correspond well diversity. detailed analysis on each sub-clusters reveals cluster based mode ligand binding though clustering was performed gross domain structure. outliers tree often single member families. Also approach has provided pointers assign putative function for unknown family. employed can be used future identification new may extended other families where members poor sequence but high similarity.