Calcium-dependent protein kinase: widespread occurrence in various tissues and phyla of the animal kingdom and comparison of effects of phospholipid, calmodulin, and trifluoperazine.

A widespread occurrence of Ca2+-dependent protein kinase was shown in various tissues and phyla of the animal kingdom. Phosphatidylserine appeared to be more effective than calmodulin in supporting the Ca2+-dependent phosphotransferase activity. The phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase activity, distributed in both the cytosolic and particulate fractions, was not inhibited by trifluoperazine, a specific inhibitor of calmodulin-sensitive, Ca2+-dependent reactions or processes. The enzyme activity levels, compared to those of cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases, were exceedingly high in certain tissues (such as brain and spleen) and exhibited a much greater disparity among tissues. The Ka for Ca2+ was about 100 microM in the presence of phosphatidylserine; the value was as low as 2 microM in the presence of phosphatidylserine and diolein. It is suggested that phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase may mediate certain actions of Ca2+ in tissues, acting independently or in a complementary manner with other protein phosphorylation systems stimulated by calmodulin-Ca2+, cyclic AMP, or cyclic GMP.