ZAP genes: Characterizing the protein structure of a new family of proliferation-associated genes in exocrine pancreas

While interested in proliferation-dependent gene regulation in a pancreatic carcinoma cell line, we cloned a set of proteins (ZAP) characterized by a conserved region consisting of consecutive zinc finger, ankyrin repeat and PH domains. Functional aspects of these domains were obtained by comparison with proteins involved in several signal transduction pathways and cell cy cle regulation. The members of the ZAP protein family are individually char acterized by different types of supplementary protein domains, their chromo somal localization and their tissue specific gene transcription. All result s indicate a wide spectrum of protein-protein interactions. Up to now speci fic binding partners have not been identified. In summary, the multiplicity of conserved regions and transcriptional data indicate a scaffold function for ZAP proteins in the complex network of pro liferation associated intracellular signal transduction pathways.