Cytosolic double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase is likely a dimer of partially phosphorylated Mr = 66,000 subunits.

The work described in this report suggests the existence of two biochemically distinguishable forms of the interferon-inducible, double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase. Kinase isolated from the cytosolic fraction (S-100) and the ribosome salt wash fraction of interferon-treated cells differed in their chromatographic properties. S-100 kinase eluted from a gel filtration column with M(r) = 140,000-160,000 and was predominantly anionic in nature, whereas ribosomal kinase eluted with M(r) = 66,000 and was predominantly cationic in nature. Purified preparations of S-100 kinase contained the M(r) = 66,000 subunit, P1, as the only polypeptide present in stoichiometric amounts, and thus the S-100 kinase appears to be a dimer of P1 subunits. Dimerization of the S-100 kinase was dependent on the phosphorylation state of the enzyme. Kinase isolated from S-100 was partially phosphorylated. Dephosphorylation of the S-100 kinase by treatment with alkaline phosphatase resulted in a monomeric form of the enzyme with biochemical characteristics similar to that of the ribosome salt wash kinase.