PCR cloning and sequence of two cDNAs encoding the alpha and beta subunits of rabbit casein kinase-II

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of total RNA from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) was used to clone and sequence full-length cDNAs encoding the alpha and beta subunits of rabbits casein kinase-II (CK-II). A strong homology and evolutionary conservation was found in both the nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid sequences of CK-II from various species, with up to 100% identity among vertebrate homologues and 88% and 64% identity on the nt level with Drosophila melanogaster and yeast, respectively, compared with rabbit CK-II. The cloning and expression of rabbit CK-II will allow us to generate antibody and cDNA probes to investigate the role of CK-II in VSMC growth, migration, and phenotypic transformation during the pathogenesis of vascular disease.