Research article

Identification, cloning and characterization of a novel 47 kDa murine PKA C subunit homologous to human and bovine Cβ2

Ane Funderud¹ , Heidi H Henanger¹ , Tilahun T Hafte¹ , Paul S Amieux² , Sigurd Ørstavik¹ and Bjørn S Skålhegg¹

¹  Department of Nutrition Research, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1046 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway

²  Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington School of Medicine, PO Box 357750, Seattle, WA 98195-7750, USA

author email corresponding author email

BMC Biochemistry 2006, 7:20doi:10.1186/1471-2091-7-20

Published:	4 August 2006

Abstract

Background

Two main genes encoding the catalytic subunits Cα and Cβ of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) have been identified in all vertebrates examined. The murine, bovine and human Cβ genes encode several splice variants, including the splice variant Cβ2. In mouse Cβ2 has a relative molecular mass of 38 kDa and is only expressed in the brain. In human and bovine Cβ2 has a relative molecular mass of 47 kDa and is mainly expressed in lymphoid tissues.

Results

We identified a novel 47 kDa splice variant encoded by the mouse Cβ gene that is highly expressed in lymphoid cells. Cloning, expression, and production of a sequence-specific antiserum and characterization of PKA catalytic subunit activities demonstrated the 47 kDa protein to be a catalytically active murine homologue of human and bovine Cβ2. Based on the present results and the existence of a human brain-specifically expressed Cβ splice variant designated Cβ4 that is identical to the former mouse Cβ2 splice variant, the mouse splice variant has now been renamed mouse Cβ4.

Conclusion

Murine lymphoid tissues express a protein that is a homologue of human and bovine Cβ2. The murine Cβ gene encodes the splice variants Cβ1, Cβ2, Cβ3 and Cβ4, as is the case with the human Cβ gene.