Protein kinases of rabbit and human erythrocyte membranes. Solubilization and characterization.

Two protein kinases (EC 2.7.1.37) from rabbit and one from human erythrocyte membranes have been solubilized with 0.5 M NaCl. These enzymes have been partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and gel filtration. The rabbit membrane enzymes have apparent Mr values of 100 000 and 30 000, as determined in the presence of 0.4 M NaCl. In the absence of salt, these enzymes aggregate into high molecular weight species. The kinase from human erythrocyte membranes has an apparent Mr of 30 000 and appears to have properties similar to those of the 30 000-dalton rabbit kinase. All three enzymes catalyze the phosphorylation of casein and phosvitin in salt-stimulated reactions. None of these enzymes appears to be related to cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases.