Cloning and characterization of a Drosophila adenylyl cyclase homologous to mammalian type IX.

A novel Drosophila adenylyl cyclase (AC) was identified by PCR using degenerate primers specific for the known metazoan ACs. The full-length cDNA predicts a protein displaying significant sequence homology with mammalian Type IX AC (AC9). The abundance and size of the message for the Drosophila AC9 homolog (DAC9) changes through development. Biochemical analysis of DAC9 confirms it encodes a functional enzyme which can be activated by forskolin or G protein. Together with the Drosophila Type I AC homolog encoded by the learning and memory gene, rutabaga, the molecular identification of DAC9 demonstrates there is a family of Drosophila AC isoforms reflecting at least part of the diversity of mammalian AC isoforms.