Phosphorylation of brain specific membrane proteins of developing chick embryo

Phosphorylation of plasma membrane proteins in various tissues of chick embryos was investigated during the development. A polypeptide of Mr 22,000 was found to be the major phosphorylated plasma membrane protein in embryonic brain; this protein was absent in embryonic muscle, liver, and gizzard tissues. Extraction of plasma membranes with Triton X-100 (1%) or Nonidet p40 (1%) or sodium deoxycholate (1%) resulted in the solubilization of most membrane proteins including the 22 KDa phosphoprotein suggesting that the 22 KDa protein is a membrane-bound protein. Maximum phosphorylation of the 22 KDa protein by [gamma-32P]ATP was observed at 0.01 mM Ca2+. Higher concentrations of Ca2+ (2.5 mM) inhibited the phosphorylation of the 22 KDa protein whereas 3.5 mM Mg2+ stimulated the phosphorylation.