Molecular Cloning of Complementary DNA for the Alpha Subunit of the G Protein that Stimulates Adenylate Cyclase

A complementary DNA clone encoding the α subunit of the adenylate cyclase stimulatory G protein (G_s) was isolated and identified. A bovine brain complementary DNA library was screened with an oligonucleotide probe derived from amino acid sequence common to known G proteins. The only clone that was obtained with this probe has a complementary DNA insert of approximately 1670 base pairs. An antibody to a peptide synthesized according to deduced amino acid sequence reacts specifically with the α subunit of G_s. In addition, RNA that hybridizes with probes made from the clone is detected in wild-type S49 cells; however, cyc^- S49 cells, which are deficient in G_sα activity, are devoid of this messenger RNA.