It has been suggested that SAM is an evolutionarily conserved protein binding domain that is involved in the regulation of numerous developmental processes in diverse eukaryotes. The SAM domain can potentially function as a protein interaction module through its ability to homo- and heterooligomerise with other SAM domains.

1: SAM: a novel motif in yeast sterile and Drosophila polyhomeotic proteins. Ponting CP; Protein Sci 1995;4:1928-1930. PMID:8528090

2: SAM as a protein interaction domain involved in developmental regulation. Schultz J, Ponting CP, Hofmann K, Bork P; Protein Sci 1997;6:249-253. PMID:9007998

3: The crystal structure of an Eph receptor SAM domain reveals a mechanism for modular dimerization. Stapleton D, Balan I, Pawson T, Sicheri F; Nat Struct Biol 1999;6:44-49. PMID:9886291