Novel structure of a high molecular weight FK506 binding protein from Arabidopsis thaliana

We have isolated clones of an Arabidopsis gene (ROF1, for rotamase FKBP) encoding a high molecular weight member of the FK506 binding protein (FKBP) family. The deduced amino acid sequence of ROF1 predicts a 551-amino acid, 62 kDa polypeptide which is 44% identical to human FKBP59 - a 59 kDa FKBP which binds to the 90 kDa heat shock protein and is associated with inactive steroid hormone receptors. ROF1 contains three FKBP12-like domains in the N-terminal portion of the protein (in contrast to two domains in mammalian FKBP59), an internal repeat structure associated with protein-protein interactions (tetratricopeptide repeats), and a putative calmodulin binding domain near the C-terminal region of the protein. No sequences associated with protein translocation out of the cytosol were found in ROF1. ROF1 mRNA was found at equivalent low levels in light-grown roots, stems, and flowers and at slightly higher levels in leaves. The abundance of ROF1 mRNA increased several-fold under stress conditions such as wounding or exposure to elevated NaCl levels.