Characterization of ostrich (Struthio camelus) beta-microseminoprotein (MSP): identification of homologous sequences in EST databases and analysis of their evolution during speciation.

ABSTRACT: Beta-microseminoprotein, alternatively called prostatic secretory protein of 94 amino acids, is a hydrophilic, unglycosylated, small protein rich in conserved half-cystine residues. Originally found in human seminal plasma and prostatic fluids, its presence was later shown in numerous secretions and its homologs were described in many vertebrate species. These studies showed that this protein had rapidly evolved, but they failed to unambiguously identify its biological role. Here, we show that a protein isolated from ostrich pituitary gland is closely related to a similar one isolated from chicken serum and that the two are structurally related to the mammalian beta-microseminoprotein. The complete 90-amino acid sequence of the ostrich molecule was established through a combination of auto

SUBMITTER: Lazure C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2374068 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature