Calmodulin-dependent multifunctional protein kinase in Aspergillus nidulans

A Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent multifunctional protein kinase has been isolated from Aspergillus nidulans and purified to homogeneity. Unlike any CaM-dependent multifunctional protein kinase described previously, the native enzyme from Aspergillus behaves as a monomer. The calculated molecular weight is 41,200. NaDodSO4/PAGE reveals a single protein band with an apparent Mr of 51,000. Two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/NaDodSO4/PAGE of the purified enzyme showed one major and one minor more acidic Coomassie blue-stained spot, both of which bind 125I-labeled calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner. The kinase is autophosphorylated in a calcium- and CaM-dependent manner, yielding an increase in the amount and number of more acidic forms of the enzyme. The Aspergillus kinase catalyzes the Ca2+/CaM-dependent phosphorylation of known substrates of type II Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinases, including glycogen synthase, microtubule-associated protein 2, synapsin, tubulin, gizzard myosin light chain, and casein. Cross-reactivity between antiserum raised against native rat brain protein kinase II and 125I-labeled Aspergillus kinase has been detected. Two forms of CaM have been isolated from Aspergillus nidulans, both of which activate the Aspergillus kinase at lower concentrations than that required for activation by bovine brain CaM.