EMI domains are widespread and reveal the probable orthologs of the Caenorhabditis elegans CED-1 protein

The EMI domain, first named after its presence in proteins of the EMILIN family, was identified here in several metazoan proteins with various domain architectures, among which the mammalian NEU1/NG3 proteins and Caenorhabditis elegans CED-1, identified as a transmembrane receptor that mediates cell corpse engulfment. Functional data available for EMILIN proteins suggest that the EMI domain could be a protein-protein interaction module. Sequence profiles specific of the EMI family of domains led to identify the probable orthologs of the C. elegans CED-1 protein in mammals and insects, which were yet uncovered.