Introduction
Domains in proteins are structural or functional units of the overall protein [2]. Domains can help determine what the proteins overall shape or chemical interactions will be. As homologous genes and their corresponding proteins are passed on from ancestor to offspring species changes can occur in the domain structure. Looking at the domain structure of genes between species helps scientists infer which features will be similar or different between species. Number and complexity of domain architecture can vary widely depending on the gene being examined.
Results
Discussion
The architecture of RAB27A and its homologs is very simple. The large blue bar shows the single domain recognized in the genes that will go on to shape the protein. The single domain doesn't offer the option to examine how selective knockout of specific domains influences the phenotype in model organisms. However, that the structure of the protein is so well conserved between humans and other species means that the function in cells should be very similar and things learned by studying model organisms should be highly applicable to humans.
References
[1]“RAB27A Orthologs - NCBI.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/5873/ortholog/?scope=7776.
[2]“What Are Protein Domains?” EMBL-EBI Train Online, 20 July 2016, www.ebi.ac.uk/training/online/course/introduction-protein-classification-ebi/protein-classification/what-are-protein-domains.
[1]“RAB27A Orthologs - NCBI.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/5873/ortholog/?scope=7776.
[2]“What Are Protein Domains?” EMBL-EBI Train Online, 20 July 2016, www.ebi.ac.uk/training/online/course/introduction-protein-classification-ebi/protein-classification/what-are-protein-domains.
The web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at UW-Madison