Identification of four highly conserved regions in DNA-PKcs

The gene for the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) is responsible for severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) and its products associate with Ku70/Ku86 autoantigens, c-Abl, and other factors to exert its roles. Investigations to date suggest that DNA-PKcs comprises several regions which specifically interact with these known and other as yet unidentified factors. Nevertheless, the relationship between the structure and function of the DNA-PKcs molecule is poorly understood. Here we report cloning of the entire DNA-PKcs cDNA from chicken and Xenopus laevis. Comparative study of the DNA-PKcs polypeptides from four different vertebrates revealed at least three novel conserved regions in addition to the carboxyl-terminal region containing the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase domain. We also demonstrated that the four vertebrates share the common genomic organization between a licensing factor, MCM4, and DNA-PKcs, both of which locate in a head-to-head manner within a few kilobase intervals. These data provide useful clues for the further genetic study of this huge multifunctional enzyme.