Drosophila DPP2C1, a novel member of the protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) family

We report the molecular cloning, chromosome mapping and developmental transcription pattern of a putative serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C), DPP2Cl, from Drosophila melanogaster. The 6-kb transcript of this first Drosophila PP2C gene encodes a 1428-aa deduced protein. The DPP2Cl protein contains a approximate to 330-aa PP2C-like catalytic domain flanked by extensive N- and C-terminal sequences showing no similarities to other PP2Cs. The dpp2cl gene maps to 4E1-2 on the X chromosome, 1.5 kb upstream of the ddlcl gene. Northern blot analyses showed that dpp2cl transcription is developmentally regulated, accumulating maximally during early (0-6 h) and late (12-24 h) embryogensis. The presented molecular characterisation provides the basis for a genetic dissection of DPP2Cl function. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.