MERGING EXTRACELLULAR DOMAINS - FOLD PREDICTION FOR LAMININ G-LIKE AND AMINO-TERMINAL THROMBOSPONDIN-LIKE MODULES BASED ON HOMOLOGY TO PENTRAXINS

Using a new method for construction and database searches of sequence consensus strings, we have identified a new superfamily of protein mod ules comprising laminin G, thrombospondin N and the pentraxin families . The conserved patterns correspond mainly to hydrophobic core residue s located in central beta strands of the known three-dimensional struc tures of two pentraxins, the human C-reactive protein and the serum am yloid P-component. Thus, we predict a similar jellyroll fold for all m embers of this superfamily. Ln addition, the conservation of two expos ed aspartate residues in the majority of superfamily members suggests hitherto unrecognised functional sites. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limite d.