The C-terminal extension of human RTEL1, mutated in Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome, contains harmonin-N-like domains

Proteins. 2014 Jun;82(6):897-903. doi: 10.1002/prot.24438. Epub 2013 Nov 22.

Abstract

Several studies have recently shown that germline mutations in RTEL1, an essential DNA helicase involved in telomere regulation and DNA repair, cause Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome (HHS), a severe form of dyskeratosis congenita. Using original new softwares, facilitating the delineation of the different domains of the protein and the identification of remote relationships for orphan domains, we outline here that the C-terminal extension of RTEL1, downstream of its catalytic domain and including several HHS-associated mutations, contains a yet unidentified tandem of harmonin-N-like domains, which may serve as a hub for partner interaction. This finding highlights the potential critical role of this region for the function of RTEL1 and gives insights into the impact that the identified mutations would have on the structure and function of these domains.

Keywords: Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome; PAH domain; dyskeratosis congenita; hydrophobic cluster analysis; malcavernin; remote relationship; sequence analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Conserved Sequence
  • DNA Helicases / chemistry*
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • Dyskeratosis Congenita / enzymology
  • Dyskeratosis Congenita / genetics*
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / enzymology
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / genetics*
  • Gene Duplication
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Intellectual Disability / enzymology
  • Intellectual Disability / genetics*
  • Microcephaly / enzymology
  • Microcephaly / genetics*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary

Substances

  • RTEL1 protein, human
  • DNA Helicases

Supplementary concepts

  • Hoyeraal Hreidarsson syndrome