| Primary Identifier | IPR016057 | Type | Homologous_superfamily |
| Short Name | Pheromone_Er2/Er23_protoz |
| description | Protozoan pheromones are cell-type specific protein signals. This entry represents the mating ciliate pheromones (or gamones) Er-2 and Er-23 from the protozoan Euplotes raikovi. These pheromones are diffusible extracellular communication signals that distinguishes different intra-specific classes of cells commonly referred to as 'mating types'. Pheromones prepare these cells for conjugation by changing their cell surface properties. The mitogenic activity induced by the Er pheromone autocrine signalling can be inhibited by cAMP []. The NMR structures of Er-2 and Er-23 reveal an all-alpha orthogonal bundle topology [, ]. In some cases, different pheromones can compete with each other in binding to their cell-surface receptors. |
