title: Molecular cloning of a brain-specific calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase.
abstract: A calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II (CaM-K) alpha-subunit cDNA has been cloned from rat brain. This enzyme is encoded by a 5.1-kilobase mRNA expressed exclusively in the brain. Hybridization histochemistry reveals that the CaM-K mRNA expression corresponds to the distribution of the immunoreactive alpha-subunit protein, suggesting that the high enzyme levels in specific brain areas reflect regional differences in gene expression. The sequence of CaM-K alpha-subunit cDNA indicates a 478-amino acid (54-kDa) protein with three functional domains. The domain organization suggests a structural model for calcium/calmodulin-dependent and independent states that might subserve short- and long-term responses to transient stimuli.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002147:Calmodulin; D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA; D011494:Protein Kinases; D002118:Calcium