ISOLATION OF A MAIZE CDNA-ENCODING A PROTEIN WITH EXTENSIVE SIMILARITY TO AN INHIBITOR OF PROTEIN-KINASE-C AND A CYANOBACTERIAL OPEN READING FRAME

A full-length cDNA clone, Mz2-12, with a predicted amino acid sequence showing extensive similarity to the sequence of a protein inhibitor o f protein kinase C, purified from bovine brain, has been isolated from maize. The sequence of Mz2-12 is also similar to an open reading fram e of unknown function on a cyanobacterial dicistronic message. The ext ensive similarity of the three protein sequences identifies a novel cl ass of evolutionarily conserved proteins.