cAMP Regulated Phosphoprotein 19kDa (ARPP19)

Phosphoproteins may act as intracellular messengers in the central nervous system. Receptor-mediated phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of such proteins are important for the regulation of neuronal function.

By screening striatal cDNA libraries with rodent and bovine probes, Brene et al. (1994) obtained cDNAs encoding ARPP16, its splice variant, ARPP19, and ARPP21. The deduced 96-amino acid ARPP16 protein is 99% identical to the rat and cow proteins. Compared with ARPP16, ARPP19 has 16 additional N-terminal amino acids. Northern blot analysis detected a 1.7-kb transcript. In situ hybridization analysis revealed expression of ARPP16/19, DARPP32, and ARPP21, with variable intensity, in caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, cerebellar cortex, and neocortex.