The FERM domain superfamily

Schematic domain map of FERM superfamily members.

FERM domains occur in a wide variety of membrane-associated signaling and cytoskeletal proteins, where they act as multifunctional protein and lipid binding sites. Domain organization of FERM proteins is indicated; horizontal distance is proportional to the length of domains in primary sequence. Some known FERM domain binding proteins are indicated on the left. Right column indicates number of genes in the fly genome for each class.

ICONS: The green cloverleaf indicates the FERM domain, shown to be a three-lobed structure with subdomains called F1, F2, and F3 (Pearson et al, 2000; Cell 101:259). CC, coiled coil; L, extended loop situated in the indicated FERM subdomain; RF, ring finger; PH, independent pleckstrin homology domain; DH-PH, Dbl homology-pleckstrin homology (rhoGEF) domain; PTP, protein tyrosine phosphatase domain; PDZ, PSD95/Dlg/ZO1-homologous peptide binding domain; P, proline-rich region; WW, WW domain; ANK, ankyrin repeat region, FBD, FERM binding domain. Orange symbols indicate unrelated actin binding domains: A/FBD, actin and FERM binding domain; SAB, 4.1 spectrin-actin binding domain; I/LWEQ, talin actin binding domain; MD, myosin motor domain.