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We are deeply saddened by the passing of Amos Bairoch (1957–2025), the creator of PROSITE. We wish to dedicate our latest paper, published shortly before his death, to him. He will always be a source of inspiration to us.
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Amos Bairoch

PROSITE documentation PDOC51837
LITAF domain profile


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PURL: https://purl.expasy.org/prosite/documentation/PDOC51837

Description

LITAF (LPS-induced TNF-activating factor) (also known as SIMPLE; small integral membrane protein of the late endosome) is an endosome-associated integral membrane protein important for multivesicular body (MVB) sorting. It is a monotypic membrane protein with both termini exposed to the cytoplasm and is anchored to membranes via an in-plane helical membrane anchor, present within the highly conserved C-terminal region known as the 'LITAF domain' or 'SIMPLE-like domain'. The LITAF domain consists of conserved cysteines separated by a 22 residue hydrophobic region. LITAF domains are found throughout the eukaryotes, suggesting ancient conserved functions, with multiple instances of expansion, especially in the metazoa [1,2].

The LITAF domain consists of five β-sheets, three N-terminal and two C-terminal to the predicted hydrophobic anchor region and is stabilized by the coordination of a zinc atom by two pairs of evolutionarily conserved cysteine residues. Consistent with a protein domain that resides in close proximity to membranes, specific residues within the LITAF domain interact with phosphoethanolamine (PE) head groups. The anchoring-region of the LITAF domain is likely to embed into the cytosolic-facing monolayer of the membrane bilayer by adopting an amphipathic character [2].

Some proteins known to contain a LITAF domain are listed below:

  • Vertebrate Lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α factor (LITAF). In human, several mutations in LITAF cause the autosomal dominant inherited peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (CMT1). These mutations map to the LITAF domain.
  • Eukaryotic Cell death-inducing p53-target protein 1 (CDIP1).
  • Arabidopsis thaliana GSH-induced LITAF domain protein (GILP), acts as a membrane anchor, bringing other regulators of programmed cell death (PCD) to the plasma membrane.

The profile we developed covers the entire LITAF domain.

Last update:

June 2017 / First entry.

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Technical section

PROSITE method (with tools and information) covered by this documentation:

LITAF, PS51837; LITAF domain profile  (MATRIX)


References

1AuthorsQin W. Wunderley L. Barrett A.L. High S. Woodman P.G.
TitleThe Charcot Marie Tooth disease protein LITAF is a zinc-binding monotopic membrane protein.
SourceBiochem. J. 473:3965-3978(2016).
PubMed ID27582497
DOI10.1042/BCJ20160657

2AuthorsHo A.K. Wagstaff J.L. Manna P.T. Wartosch L. Qamar S. Garman E.F. Freund S.M.V. Roberts R.C.
TitleThe topology, structure and PE interaction of LITAF underpin a Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1C.
SourceBMC Biol. 14:109-109(2016).
PubMed ID27927196
DOI10.1186/s12915-016-0332-8



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