Isolation of a maize cDNA encoding a protein with extensive similarity to an inhibitor of protein kinase C and a cyanobacterial open reading frame.

A full-length cDNA clone, Mz2-12, with a predicted amino acid sequence showing extensive similarity to the sequence of a protein inhibitor of protein kinase C, purified from bovine brain, has been isolated from maize. The sequence of Mz2-12 is also similar to an open reading frame of unknown function on a cyanobacterial dicistronic message. The extensive similarity of the three protein sequences identifies a novel class of evolutionarily conserved proteins.