IDENTIFICATION OF A CDNA-ENCODING A DROSOPHILA CALCIUM CALMODULIN REGULATED PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE, WHICH HAS ITS MOST ABUNDANT EXPRESSION IN THE EARLY EMBRYO/

A 3.3 kb cDNA encoding the complete amino acid sequence of a calcium/c almodulin regulated protein phosphatase has been isolated from a Droso phila eye disc cDNA library. The predicted protein of 560 amino acids (molecular mass 62 kDa) is 73-78% identical to human PP2B isoforms. Th e cDNA hybridised to the X-chromosome al cytological position 14D1-4. Two transcripts of 3.5 kb and 3.0 kb were expressed during embryonic d evelopment, their levels being highest in the early embryo. The larger transcript was also clearly present in adult females. This pattern of expression indicates a role for calcium/calmodulin regulated protein phosphatase in embryonic development.