CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A DROSOPHILA ADENYLYL-CYCLASE HOMOLOGOUS TO MAMMALIAN TYPE-IX

A novel Drosophila adenylyl cyclase (AC) was identified by PCR using d egenerate primers specific for the known metazoan ACs. The full-length cDNA predicts a protein displaying significant sequence homology with mammalian Type IX AC (AC9). The abundance and size of the message for the Drosophila AC9 homolog (DAC9) changes through development, Bioche mical analysis of DAC9 confirms it encodes a functional enzyme which c an be activated by forskolin or G protein. Together with the Drosophil a Type I AC homolog encoded by the learning and memory gene, rutabaga, the molecular identification of DAC9 demonstrates there is a family o f Drosophila AC isoforms reflecting at least part of the diversity of mammalian AC isoforms. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Soc ieties.