Phylogenetic analyses suggest multiple changes of substrate specificity within the glycosyl hydrolase 20 family.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 20 (GH20) family are involved in the removal of terminal beta-glycosidacally linked N-acetylhexosamine residues. These enzymes, widely distributed in microorganisms, animals and plants, are involved in many important physiological and pathological processes, such as cell structural integrity, energy storage, pathogen defence, viral penetration, cellular signalling, fertilization, development of carcinomas, inflammatory events and lysosomal storage diseases. Nevertheless, only limited analyses of phylogenetic relationships between GH20 genes have been performed until now.

Results

Careful phylogenetic analyses of 233 inferred protein sequences from eukaryotes and prokaryotes reveal a complex history fo

SUBMITTER: Intra J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2492878 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature