In an attempt to isolate protein kinase A anchoring proteins (AKAPs) involved in vasopressin-mediated water reabsorbtion, the complete sequence of the human AKAP Ht31 was determined and a partial cDNA of its rat orthologue (Rt31) was cloned. The Ht31 cDNA includes the estrogen receptor cofactor Brx and the RhoA GDP/GTP exchange factor protolymphoid blast crisis (Lbc) sequences. The Ht31 gene was assigned to chromosome 15 (region q24-q25). It encodes Ht31 and the smaller splice variants Brx and proto-Lbc. A protein of the predicted size of Ht31 (309 kDa) was detected in human mammary carcinoma and HeLa cells. Anti-Ht31/Rt31 antibodies immunoprecipitated RhoA from primary cultured rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells, indicating an interaction between the AKAP and RhoA in vivo. These results suggest that Ht31/ Rt31. represent a new type of AKAP, containing both an anchoring and a catalytic domain, which appears to be capable of modulating the activity of an interacting partner. Ht31/Rt31 have the potential to integrate Rho and protein kinase A signaling pathways, and thus, are prime candidates to regulate vasopressin-mediated water reabsorbtion. (C) 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societies