A novel murine PKA-related protein kinase involved in neuronal differentiation

Members of the cAMP-dependent second-messenger pathway have been described as regulators of cellular growth and differentiation and were consequently implicated in a variety of embryogenic processes including brain developmen t. Moreover, recent data suggest an indispensable role for cAMP-dependent p rotein kinases (PKAs) in neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity. Using a degenerate primer-based approach, we have identified a novel murine gene closely related to the human cAMP-dependent protein kinase PRIM on Xp 22.3. This gene (Pkare) was mapped to the region near the centromere of the murine X chromosome and is expressed in a variety of adult organs includin g kidney, liver, spleen, testis, ovary, lung, heart, and brain. Antisense i n situ hybridization on staged mouse embryos revealed a highly distinctive expression pattern during neuronal development, with elevated Pkare express ion observed only in differentiating neurons within the first ganglion, the dorsal root ganglia, and the mantle layer of the telencephalon, Based on t he close relationship with the catalytic PKA subunits and its distinct expr ession in differentiating neuronal cells, Pkare might represent a novel com ponent of the cAMP-regulated pathways involved in brain development and fun ction, (C) 2000 Academic Press.