The Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes (CMP1 and CMP2) encoding calmodulin-binding proteins homologous to the catalytic subunit of mammalian protein phosphatase 2B.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae genomic clones that encode calmodulin-binding proteins were isolated by screening a lambda gt11 expression library using 125I-labeled calmodulin as probe. Among the cloned yeast genes, we found two closely related genes (CMP1 and CMP2) that encode proteins homologous to the catalytic subunit of phosphoprotein phosphatase. The presumed CMP1 protein (62,999 Da) and CMP2 protein (68,496 Da) contain a 23 amino acid sequence very similar to those identified as calmodulin-binding sites in many calmodulin-regulated proteins. The yeast genes encode proteins especially homologous to the catalytic subunit of mammalian phosphoprotein phosphatase type 2B (calcineurin). The products of the CMP1 and CMP2 genes were identified by immunoblot analysis of cell extracts as proteins of 62,000 and 64,000 Da, respectively. Gene disruption experiments demonstrated that elimination of either or both of these genes had no effect on cell viability, indicating that these genes are not essential for normal cell growth.