The HIT protein family: a new family of proteins present in prokaryotes, yeast and mammals

By comparing the sequence of a putative translation product from a Saccharomyces cerevisiae split gene with several data-bases, I have uncovered a new protein family. Members of this family are found in prokaryotes as well as in lower and higher eukaryotes. The function of these proteins is unknown but they share a characteristic histidine triad that may be involved in zinc binding. This group of protein has been named the HIT protein family.