Purification of a novel calmodulin binding protein from bovine cerebral cortex membranes

A new calmodulin (CaM) binding protein, designated P-57, has been purified to apparent homogeneity from bovine cerebral cortex membranes. In contrast to other calmodulin binding proteins, P-57 has higher affinity for calmodulin in the absence of bound Ca2+ than in its presence. The protein was purified by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography and two CaM-Sepharose affinity column steps. The first CaM-Sepharose column was run in the presence of Ca2+; the second was run in the presence of chelator in excess of Ca2+. P-57 was adsorbed by CaM-Sepharose only in the absence of bound Ca2+ and was eluted from the second column by buffers containing Ca2+. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels of the purified protein showed only one band at Mr 57 000. The major form of the protein on Bio-Gel A-1.5m and native polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis ran with an apparent Stokes radius of 41 A. Photoaffinity labeling of P-57 with azido[125I]calmodulin yielded one cross-linked product on SDS gels with an Mr of 70 000. This interaction occurred only when excess ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid was present and was inhibited by the presence of Ca2+ in excess of chelator. It appears that P-57 has novel binding properties for calmodulin distinct from all other calmodulin binding proteins described thus far.