Summary
[Wormbase] bli-4 encodes a variety of related subtilases (serine endoproteases of the KEX2/subtilisin class), with shared N-termini but varying C-termini, that are collectively required both for larval viability and for stable adhesion of the adult cuticle.
Wormbase predicts 6 models.

AceView summary
Expression: According to AceView, this gene is expressed at high level, 3.9 times the average gene in this release, at all stages of development [Kohara cDNAs]. The sequence of this gene is defined by 51 cDNA clones. We annotate structural defects or features in 2 cDNA clones.
Alternative mRNA variants and regulation: The gene contains 22 distinct gt-ag introns. Transcription produces at least 6 alternatively spliced mRNAs. There are 2 probable alternative promotors, 4 non overlapping alternative last exons and 7 validated alternative polyadenylation sites (see the diagram). The mRNAs appear to differ by by truncation of the 3' end, presence or absence of a cassette exon, overlapping exons with different boundaries. 82 bp of this gene are antisense to spliced gene mut-2, raising the possibility of regulated alternate expression.
Protein coding potential: The 6 spliced mRNAs putatively encode good proteins, altogether 7 different isoforms (4 complete, 7 COOH complete, 1 partial), some containing domains Peptidase S8 and S53, subtilisin, kexin, sedolisin, Proprotein convertase, P [Pfam]; 2 of the 4 complete proteins appear to be secreted.
Function: There are 8 articles specifically referring to this gene in PubMed. In addition we point below to 42 abstracts. This essential gene is associated to a phenotype (BLIstered cuticle, DumPY : shorter than wild-type, LEThal, MoLT defect, embryonic and early larval arrest). Functionally, the gene has been proposed to participate in processes (cuticle formation, cuticle structure, proteolysis and peptidolysis). Proteins are expected to have molecular function (serine-type endopeptidase activity) and to localize in various compartments (extracellular space, membrane).

Please quote: AceView: a comprehensive cDNA-supported gene and transcripts annotation, Genome Biology 2006, 7(Suppl 1):S12

Map: This essential gene bli-4 maps on chomosome I at position +0.99 (interpolated). In AceView, it covers 15.35 kb, from 6341344 to 6356689 (WS190), on the direct strand.
Links to: WormBase, NextDB, RNAiDB.
as Other names: The gene is also known kpc-4, let-77, in Wormgenes/AceView by its positional name 1G931, in Wormbase by its cosmid.number name K04F10.4, in NextDB, the Nematode expression pattern database, as CEYK849.

The closest human genes, according to BlastP, are the AceView genes FURIN (e= 10^-134), PCSK6 (e= 10^-130), PCSK1 (e= 10^-129), PCSK5 (e= 10^-126), PCSK4 (e= 10^-122).
The closest mouse genes, according to BlastP, are the AceView genes Furin (e= 10^-137), Pcsk6 (e= 10^-131), Pcsk1 (e= 10^-128), Pcsk5 (e= 10^-125).
The closest A.thaliana gene, according to BlastP, is the AceView gene ATS1P\/ATSBT6.1\/S1P (e=0.049)

Alternative mRNAs are shown aligned from 5' to 3' on a virtual genome where introns have been shrunk to a minimal length. Exon size is proportional to length, intron height reflects the number of cDNA clones supporting each intron. Superimposed introns of the same color are identical, of different colors are different.
Mouse over the ending of each transcript gives tissues from which the supporting cDNAs were extracted. Click on any transcript to open the specific mRNA page, to see the exact cDNA clone support and eventual SNPs and to get details on tissues, sequences, mRNA and protein annotations. Details on tissue of origin for each intron and exon is available from the intron and exons table. Good predicted proteins are in pink, yellow proteins may be partial or unconvincing, green are uORFs. Proteins supported by a single continuous GenBank accession lead to underlining the name/ending of the variant. Names not underlined result from cDNA concatenation in the coding region and should be experimentally checked.
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