OBJECTIVETo obtain the functional information of AY358935 gene.

METHODSThe properties, subcellular location, and structure of AY358935 protein, and the expression profile of AY358935 gene were analyzed by bioinformatics software and the biological functions of the gene were predicted. AY358935 expression was detected by Western blot analysis in early virus infection.

RESULTSAY358935 was evolutionally conserved. The human AY358935 protein had an amino acid similarity of 74%, 60%, 38% and 33% with its counterpart in horses, mice, zebrafish and Xenopus laevis, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that AY358935 protein was located likely in the mitochondria. There was a N-terminal signal peptide and single transmembrane structure in AY358935 protein, which contained several phosphorylation sites. The secondary structure mainly comprised of alpha helices and random coils. AY358935 was ubiquitously expressed in normal tissues and carcinomas and regulated by the expression of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase. AY358935 protein expression was obviously upregulated in cells 2 h after infection by vesicular stomatitis virus.

CONCLUSIONAs a predicted secretary protein with a small molecular weight, AY358935 might have important functions in cellular proliferation and anti-viral innate immune regulation.