Figure 3

Conserved domains of Snail and Scratch proteins. Alignment of relevant sequences illustrating all conserved domains found in snail superfamily proteins. Species and gene names are colored using the color code used in Figure 1. (A): Alignment of N-terminal SNAG domains. This 21-amino acids-long domain can be separated in 2 sub-domains (SNAG-1 and SNAG-2) that are rarely simultaneously present in snail proteins. (B): Alignment of CtBP domains. These domains are only present in Snail proteins and can be found in tandem or in singleton. (C): Alignment of SCRATCH domains only found in ScratchB proteins. (D): Alignment of SLUG and similar domains found in some deuterostome Snail proteins. (E, F, G): Alignments of the 5 zinc fingers DNA binding domains characteristic of the snail superfamily. The first, second and last zinc fingers are specific of each subgroup whereas the third and fourth zinc fingers present an overall conservation throughout snail superfamily. Number of zinc fingers can vary by gain (Worniu protein) or loss (Homo sapiens SNAIL1) of the first zinc finger. Below alignments, asterisks indicate localization of Cysteines and Histidines forming characteristic C2-H2 motifs.