The PWWP domain: a potential protein-protein interaction domain in nuclearproteins influencing differentiation?

Upon characterization of WHSC1, a gene mapping to the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndr ome critical region and at its C-terminus similar to the Drosophila ASH1/tr ithorax group proteins, we identified a novel protein domain designated PWW P domain. To gain insight into its structure, evolutionary conservation and its potential functional role, we performed database searches to identify other PWWP domain-containing proteins. We retrieved 39 proteins, and a mult iple alignment shows that the domain spans some 70 amino acids. it is prese nt in proteins of nuclear origin and plays a role in cell growth and differ entiation. Due to its position, the composition of amino acids close to the PWWP motif and the pattern of other domains present, we hypothesize that t he domain is involved in protein-protein interactions. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.