A genomics method to identify pathogenicity-related proteins. Application to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-like proteins.

TitleA genomics method to identify pathogenicity-related proteins. Application to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-like proteins.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsNovoa, Eva Maria, de Moura Manuel Castro, Orozco Modesto, and de Pouplana Lluís Ribas
JournalFEBS Lett
Volume584
Pagination460-6
Date Published2010 Jan 21
ISSN1873-3468
KeywordsAmino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases, Bacteria, Genomics, Phylogeny
Abstract

During their extended evolution genes coding for aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARS) have experienced numerous instances of duplication, insertion and deletion of domains. The ARS-related proteins that have resulted from these genetic events are generally known as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-like proteins (ARS-like). This heterogeneous group of polypeptides carries out an equally varied number of functions that need not be related to gene translation. Several of these proteins remain uncharacterized. At least 16 different ARS-like proteins have been identified to date, but their functions remain incompletely understood. Here we review the individual phylogenetic distribution of these proteins in bacteria, and apply a new genomics method to determine their potential implication in pathogenicity.

DOI10.1016/j.febslet.2009.11.016