FKBP46, a novel Sf9 insect cell nuclear immunophilin that forms a protein-kinase complex

Recently, we identified a 59-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein that is associated with a recombinant mouse FKBP-52 (Alnemri, E. S., Fernandes-Alnemri, T., Nelki, D. S., Dudley, K., DuBois, G. C., and Litwack, G. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 6839-6843). Here we describe the cloning, overexpression, and characterization of this protein from Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells (Sf9 cells). The cloned cDNA codes for an acidic protein of 412 amino acids with distinct structural domains. Starting with the N terminus, the first 218 amino acids contain two highly acidic domains separated by a short basic domain. Following the second large acidic domain is another basic domain of 87 amino acids with significant sequence and structural homology to HMG1 and HMG2 DNA binding proteins. The two basic domains contain several nuclear targeting signals. The last 108 C-terminal amino acids contain a binding domain for immunosuppressive drugs FK506 and rapamycin, which makes this protein a new member of the immunophilin family. We provide evidence that the new immunophilin (FKBP46) is a DNA binding protein that can bind immunosuppressive drug FK506 and possesses peptidylprolyl isomerase activity. FKBP46 is localized in the nucleus and is associated with a nuclear kinase that specifically phosphorylates it in the presence of Mg2+ and ATP. Upon subsequent sequence analysis of the mouse FKBP52 cDNA used in our previous study, it was observed that a spermatid nuclear transition protein 2 (TP2) sequence is fused in frame with the C terminus of the recombinant FKBP52 probably as a result of a cloning artifact. We demonstrate that the FKBP46 does not form a complex with the FKBP52 but rather with the highly basic nuclear protein TP2. Our data suggest that interaction of FKBP46 with TP2 is mediated by the N-terminal acidic domains of FKBP46. This implies that the acidic domains of FKBP46 are involved in protein-protein interaction between nuclear FKBP46 and other basic chromatin proteins.