The cDNAs coding for the α- and β-subunits of Xenopus laevis casein kinase II

Abstract

Using a λgt10 cDNA library obtained from Xenopus laevis oocytes and probes derived from the known sequences of the human and Drosophila genes, a cDNA coding for the α-subunit of the X. laevis casein kinase II was isolated. The coding sequence of this clone determines a polypeptide of 350 amino acids. The X. laevis sequence is 98% identical to the human and rat proteins in the first 323 amino acids. Using the polymerase chain reaction to generate a 370-nucleotide-long probe, it was possible to clone and sequence a cDNA of 900 nucleotides that coded for the X. laevis β-subunit of casein kinase II. The derived protein sequence is 215 amino acids long and again shows an extraordinary degree of conservation with other species. © 1992.