Subunit interaction sites between the regulatory and catalytic subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Heterobifunctional cross-linking reagents lead to photodependent and photoindependent cross-linking.

Heterobifunctional cross-linking reagents have been introduced into the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase as potential probes for identifying specific points of contact between the catalytic (C)-subunit and the type II regulatory (RII) subunit in the holoenzyme complex. Since at least one of the 2 cysteine residues in the C-subunit is known to be in close proximity to the interaction site between the C-subunit and the RII-subunit, these cysteines were chosen initially as targets for covalent modification by two heterobifunctional cross-linking reagents, p-azidophenacyl bromide and N-4-(azidophenylthio)phthalimide. Treatment of the C-subunit with each reagent led to the stoichiometric modification of Cys-199 and Cys-343. In each case, the modified C-subunit was still capable of forming a stable complex with the RII-subunit. Both modified C-subunits also could be covalently cross-linked to the RII-subunit; however, the mechanisms for cross-linking differed. Catalytic subunit modified by p-azidophenacyl bromide was cross-linked to the RII-subunit in a photodependent manner by a mechanism that was maximal when holoenzyme was formed and cAMP was absent. In contrast, the C-subunit modified by N-4-(azidophenylthio)phthalimide was cross-linked to the RII-subunit by a mechanism that was independent of photolysis. In this case, cross-linking was enhanced by the presence of cAMP. This cross-linking was the result of a disulfide interchange between a modified cysteine in the C-subunit and an unmodified cysteine in the RII-subunit.