InterPro domain: IPR035793

This macro domain is found in proteins similar to human GDAP2, the ganglioside induced differentiation associated protein 2, whose gene is expressed at a higher level in differentiated Neuro2a cells compared with non-differentiated cells [ 1 ]. GDAP2 contains an N-terminal macro domain and a C-terminal Sec14p-like lipid binding domain. It is specifically expressed in brain and testis.

The macro domain is a high-affinity ADP-ribose binding module found in a variety of proteins as a stand-alone domain or in combination with other domains like in histone macroH2A and some PARPs (poly ADP-ribose polymerases). Some macro domains recognize poly ADP-ribose as a ligand. Previously identified as displaying an Appr-1"-p (ADP-ribose-1"-monophosphate) processing activity, the macro domain may play roles in distinct ADP-ribose pathways, such as the ADP-ribosylation of proteins, an important post-translational modification which occurs in DNA repair, transcription, chromatin biology, and long-term memory formation, among other processes [ 2 ].

1. Isolation of 10 differentially expressed cDNAs in differentiated Neuro2a cells induced through controlled expression of the GD3 synthase gene. J. Neurochem. 72, 1781-90
2. The macro domain is an ADP-ribose binding module. EMBO J. 24, 1911-20