Evolution of the mammalian lysozyme gene family.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lysozyme c (chicken-type lysozyme) has an important role in host defense, and has been extensively studied as a model in molecular biology, enzymology, protein chemistry, and crystallography. Traditionally, lysozyme c has been considered to be part of a small family that includes genes for two other proteins, lactalbumin, which is found only in mammals, and calcium-binding lysozyme, which is found in only a few species of birds and mammals. More recently, additional testes-expressed members of this family have been identified in human and mouse, suggesting that the mammalian lysozyme gene family is larger than previously known.

Results

Here we characterize the extent and diversity of the lysozyme gene family in the genomes of phylogenetically diverse mammals, and

SUBMITTER: Irwin DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3141428 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature