Evidence for a second isoform of the catalytic subunit of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin A).

We have used a previously characterized rat cDNA clone for the catalytic (A) subunit of calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin), which we designated A alpha, to isolate cDNA clones coding for a second isoform of the A subunit, A beta. The A beta cDNA encodes a protein of 525 amino acids that is 81% identical with A alpha. The N-terminal region is dissimilar and contains a characteristic proline-rich sequence. The region homologous to protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (region between residues 87 and 338, 91% identical) and the calmodulin binding domain (region between residues 401 and 424, 96% identical) are highly conserved. The presence of two genes coding for calcineurin A suggests the possibility of important functional differences in the two enzymes.