Cloning and characterization of PKC-homologous genes in the truffle species Tuber borchii and Tuber magnatum

The protein kinases C (PKCs) define a growing family of ubiquitous signal t ransducting serine/threonine kinases that control ion conductance channels, release of hormones and cell growth and proliferation. Degenerated oligonu cleotides were used as primers for polymerase chain reactions to amplify PK C-related sequences-from the while truffle species Tuber magnatum and Tuber borchii. The deduced amino acid sequences of cloned sequences reveal domai ns homologous to the regulatory and kinase domains of PKC-relaled proteins, but lack typical Ca2+-binding domain and therefore should be classified as nPKCs. Both contain a large extended N-terminus which is found exclusively in fungi PKCs. Phylogenetic analysis of the kinase domain demonstrates hig h homology with known filamentous fungi isoenzymes. (C) 2000 Published by E lsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Microbiologica l Societies.