cDNA sequence and differential expression of the mouse Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV gene.

We have isolated and sequenced a mouse brain cDNA encoding Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV. The sequence predicts an acidic protein (pI = 4.56) of 469 amino acids (Mr = 52,627) that contains kinase catalytic and calmodulin-binding domains. The carboxy region has several primary structural features that suggest it may be a readily cleaved attachment domain. This region is highly charged and hydrophilic and contains several PEST sequences, motifs associated with high turnover proteins. Of the tissues examined, expression of the CaM kinase IV gene is restricted to brain and testis, where transcripts are differentially expressed to produce a kinase in both tissues and a calmodulin-binding protein, calspermin, in testis that lacks a kinase catalytic domain.