Molecular analysis of cDNA clones and the corresponding genomic coding sequences of the Drosophila dunce+ gene, the structural gene for cAMP phosphodiesterase.

We have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones representing portions of the polyadenylylated transcripts of the dunce+ gene. These define an open reading frame of 1086 bases and some of the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of the transcripts. The deduced amino acid sequence is strikingly homologous to the amino acid sequence of a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isolated from bovine brain and more weakly related to the predicted amino acid sequence of a yeast cAMP phosphodiesterase. These homologies, together with prior genetic and biochemical studies, provide unambiguous evidence that dunce+ codes for a phosphodiesterase. In addition, the dunce+ gene product shares a seven-amino acid sequence with a regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase that is predicted to be part of the cAMP binding site. We also identify a weak homology between a region of the dunce+ gene product and the egg-laying hormone precursor of Aplysia californica. The open reading frame is divided in the genome by four introns.