XOL-1, primary determinant of sexual fate in C. elegans, is a GHMP kinase family member and a structural prototype for a class of developmental regulators.

ABSTRACT: In Caenorhabditis elegans, an X chromosome-counting mechanism specifies sexual fate. Specific genes termed X-signal elements, which are present on the X chromosome, act in a concerted dose-dependent fashion to regulate levels of the developmental switch gene xol-1. In turn, xol-1 levels determine sexual fate and the activation state of the dosage compensation mechanism. The crystal structure of the XOL-1 protein at 1.55 A resolution unexpectedly reveals that xol-1 encodes a GHMP kinase family member, despite sequence identity of 10% or less. Because GHMP kinases, thus far, have only been characterized as small molecule kinases involved in metabolic pathways, for example, amino acid and cholesterol synthesis, XOL-1 is the first member that controls nonmetabolic processes. Biochemical invest

SUBMITTER: Luz JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC196039 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature