graal: a Drosophila gene coding for several mosaic serine proteases

Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2004 Oct;34(10):1025-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2003.09.009.

Abstract

Serine proteases play vital roles in several biological processes such as development and immunity. We have characterized Graal, a large multi-domain serine protease from Drosophila. Graal is spliced in at least three transcripts that are present throughout development. The domains found in Graal proteins are: chitin-binding domains (CBD), scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domains, low density lipoprotein receptor cysteine-rich (LDLR-CR) domains, histidine and proline-rich domains, a NGGYQPP-repeat domain and a serine protease domain. The last 2370 nucleotides of these RNAs are identical and encode a His-rich domain, two SRCR domains, two LDLR-CR domains and a protease domain. The transcription of graal is upregulated after fungal or bacterial infection. Analysis of the Iso1 (y;cn,sp,bw) strain shows that graal transcription is impaired in this fly line due to the insertion of a retrotransposon in the sixth exon. However, no phenotype could be observed consecutive to the absence of graal full length transcripts, particularly in the context of an immune challenge.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Drosophila / enzymology*
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Drosophila / immunology
  • Genes, Insect*
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / physiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Serine Endopeptidases / chemistry
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / physiology

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Isoenzymes
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Serine Endopeptidases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AJ251802
  • GENBANK/AJ251803
  • GENBANK/AJ309005