Sterile alpha motif (SAM)/Pointed domain of Mae protein homolog
Mae (Modulator of the Activity of ETS) subfamily represents a group of SAM Pointed monodomain proteins. SAM Pointed domain is a protein-protein interaction domain. It can interact with other SAM pointed domains forming head-to-tail heterodimers and also provides a kinase docking site. For example, in Drosophila Mae is required for facilitating phosphorylation of the Yan factor and for blocking phosphorylation of the ETS-2 regulator. Mae interacts with the SAM Pointed domains of Yan and ETS-2. Binding enhances access of the kinase to the Yan phosphorylation site by providing a kinase docking site, or inhibits phosphorylation of ETS-2 by blocking its docking site. This type of factors participates in regulation of kinase signaling particularly during embryogenesis.