A number of proteins, the majority of which are involved in the transport of
anions across a membrane as well as some yet uncharacterized proteins have
been shown [1,2] to be evolutionary related. These proteins are:
Mammalian pendrin (PDS) (gene SLC26A4), a chloride/iodide transporter which
in Human is involved in a number of hearing loss genetic diseases.
Mammalian prestin (gene SLC26A5), a motor protein that converts auditory
stimuli to length changes in outer hair cells and mediates sound
amplification in the mammalian hearing organ. Prestin is, so far, the only
member of this family whose direct function is not to transport ion across
a membrane.
Mammalian SLC26A6, whose function is not yet known.
Neurospora crassa sulfate permease II (gene cys-14).
Yeast sulfate permeases (genes SUL1 and SUL2).
Sulfate transporters 1, 2 and 3 from the legume Stylosanthes hamata.
Soybean early nodulin 70.
Escherichia coli hypothetical protein ychM.
Caenorhabditis elegans hypothetical protein F41D9.5.
As expected by their transport function, these proteins are highly hydrophobic
and seem to contain about 12 transmembrane domains. The best conserved region
seems to be located in the second transmembrane region and is used as a
signature pattern.
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