Genome-wide prediction of the polymorphic Ser gene family in Tetrahymena thermophila based on motif analysis.

ABSTRACT: Even though antigenic variation is employed among parasitic protozoa for host immune evasion, Tetrahymena thermophila, a free-living ciliate, can also change its surface protein antigens. These cysteine-rich glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked surface proteins are encoded by a family of polymorphic Ser genes. Despite the availability of T. thermophila genome, a comprehensive analysis of the Ser family is limited by its high degree of polymorphism. In order to overcome this problem, a new approach was adopted by searching for Ser candidates with common motif sequences, namely length-specific repetitive cysteine pattern and GPI anchor site. The candidate genes were phylogenetically compared with the previously identified Ser genes and classified into subtypes. Ser candidates were often

SUBMITTER: Ponsuwanna P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4136848 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature