Abstract
THAP9 is a transposable element-derived gene that encodes the THAP9
protein, which is homologous to the Drosophila P-element
transposase (DmTNP) and can cut and paste DNA. However, the exact
functional role of THAP9 is unknown. Here, we perform evolutionary
analysis and extensive in silico characterization of THAP9,
including predicting domains and putative post-translational
modification sites. We predict previously unreported mammalian-specific
post-translational modification sites that may play a role in the
subcellular localization of THAP9. We also observe that although THAP9
has evolved under a strong pervasive purifying selection, yielding high
conservation of THAP9, there are distinct class-specific conservation
patterns of key functional residues in certain domains. Furthermore,
investigation of THAP9 expression profiles in various cancer and matched
normal datasets demonstrated underexpression and overexpression in
testicular cancers and thymic epithelial tumors, respectively, thus
suggesting a possible role of THAP9 in cancer.