ANKYRIN REPEAT Meaning and
Definition
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Ankyrin repeat refers to a structural motif found in various proteins that play crucial roles in protein-protein interactions and cellular processes. It is composed of approximately 33 amino acid residues, forming a highly conserved repeating unit. The repeat itself is characterized by two α-helices separated by loops of variable length, resulting in a solenoid-like structure.
These ankyrin repeats are named after ankyrins, a group of adaptor proteins that were the first to be identified as harboring this motif. However, ankyrin repeats are not unique to ankyrins and are found in a wide range of proteins across different species. They are commonly involved in mediating protein-protein interactions, particularly in forming complexes and scaffolds within the cell.
The primary function of ankyrin repeats is to provide a versatile platform for protein-protein interactions. The loops connecting the helices of each repeat are usually flexible and can accommodate binding to a variety of target proteins. This allows ankyrin repeat-containing proteins to participate in multiple interactions, which contribute to diverse cellular processes such as signal transduction, gene regulation, and cytoskeletal organization.
Overall, ankyrin repeats are versatile, structural motifs that serve as essential mediators of protein-protein interactions within cells. Their presence in numerous proteins highlights their significance in fundamental biological processes.
Common Misspellings for ANKYRIN REPEAT
- znkyrin repeat
- snkyrin repeat
- wnkyrin repeat
- qnkyrin repeat
- abkyrin repeat
- amkyrin repeat
- ajkyrin repeat
- ahkyrin repeat
- anjyrin repeat
- anmyrin repeat
- anlyrin repeat
- anoyrin repeat
- aniyrin repeat
- anktrin repeat
- ankgrin repeat
- ankhrin repeat
- ankurin repeat
- ank7rin repeat
- ank6rin repeat
- ankyein repeat
Etymology of ANKYRIN REPEAT
The word "Ankyrin" originates from the Greek term "ankýra" (ἄγκυρα), meaning "anchor". The term "repeat" comes from Latin "repeter", meaning "to repeat".
The etymology of the word "Ankyrin Repeat" stems from the characteristics of the amino acid sequence in the protein structure known as ankyrin. Ankyrin proteins contain a specific domain, referred to as the ankyrin repeat domain, which is composed of multiple repeats of a short sequence of amino acids. These repeats are approximately 30-33 amino acids long and are characterized by a conserved structure, involving two alpha-helices followed by a loop and a beta-hairpin.
The name "Ankyrin Repeat" was coined to describe this repetitive amino acid sequence motif found in ankyrin proteins.
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