Chapter 2: Evolutionary analysis of THAP9 transposase: conserved regions, novel motifs

THAP9 is a transposable element-derived gene that encodes the THAP9 protein, homologous to the Drosophila P-element transposase (DmTNP). However, the exact functional role of THAP9 is unknown. In this chapter, we perform evolutionary analysis and extensive in silico characterization of THAP9, including predicting domains and putative post-translational modification sites. We predicted previously unreported mammalian-specific post-translational modification sites that may play a role in the subcellular localization of THAP9. We also observe that although THAP9 has evolved under a strong pervasive purifying selection, yielding high conservation of THAP9, there are distinct class-specific conservation patterns of crucial functional residues in specific domains.