A synaptic vesicle protein with a novel cytoplasmic domain and four transmembrane regions

Complementary DNA and genomic clones were isolated and sequenced corresponding to rat and human synaptophysin (p38), a major integral membrane protein of synaptic vesicles. The deduced amino acid sequences indicate an evolutionarily highly conserved protein that spans the membrane four times. Both amino and carboxyl termini face the cytoplasm, with the latter containing ten copies of a tyrosine-rich pentapeptide repeat. The structure of synaptophysin suggests that the protein may function as a channel in the synaptic vesicle membrane, with the carboxyl terminus serving as a binding site for cellular factors.     

Conformational switch of syntaxin-1 controls synaptic vesicle fusion

During synaptic vesicle fusion, the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein syntaxin-1 exhibits two conformations that both bind to Munc18-1: a "closed" conformation outside the SNARE complex and an "open" conformation in the SNARE complex. Although SNARE complexes containing open syntaxin-1 and Munc18-1 are essential for exocytosis, the function of closed syntaxin-1 is unknown. We generated knockin/knockout mice that expressed only open syntaxin-1B. Syntaxin-1B(Open) mice were viable but succumbed to generalized seizures at 2 to 3 months of age. Binding of Munc18-1 to syntaxin-1 was impaired in syntaxin-1B(Open) synapses, and the size of the readily releasable vesicle pool was decreased; however, the rate of synaptic vesicle fusion was dramatically enhanced. Thus, the closed conformation of syntaxin-1 gates the initiation of the synaptic vesicle fusion reaction, which is then mediated by SNARE-complex/Munc18-1 assemblies.     

Identification of a platelet membrane glycoprotein as a falciparum malaria sequestration receptor

Infections with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum are characterized by sequestration of erythrocytes infected with mature forms of the parasite. Sequestration of infected erythrocytes appears to be critical for survival of the parasite and to mediate immunopathological abnormalities in severe malaria. A leukocyte differentiation antigen (CD36) was previously suggested to have a role in sequestration of malaria-infected erythrocytes. CD36 was purified from platelets, where it is known as GPIV, and was shown to be a receptor for binding of infected erythrocytes. Infected erythrocytes adhered to CD36 immobilized on plastic; purified CD36 exhibited saturable, specific binding to infected erythrocytes; and purified CD36 or antibodies to CD36 inhibited and reversed binding of infected erythrocytes to cultured endothelial cells and melanoma cells in vitro. The portion of the CD36 molecule that reverses cytoadherence may be useful therapeutically for rapid reversal of sequestration in cerebral malaria.     

TMEM16A, a membrane protein associated with calcium-dependent chloride channel activity

Calcium-dependent chloride channels are required for normal electrolyte and fluid secretion, olfactory perception, and neuronal and smooth muscle excitability. The molecular identity of these membrane proteins is still unclear. Treatment of bronchial epithelial cells with interleukin-4 (IL-4) causes increased calcium-dependent chloride channel activity, presumably by regulating expression of the corresponding genes. We performed a global gene expression analysis to identify membrane proteins that are regulated by IL-4. Transfection of epithelial cells with specific small interfering RNA against each of these proteins shows that TMEM16A, a member of a family of putative plasma membrane proteins with unknown function, is associated with calcium-dependent chloride current, as measured with halide-sensitive fluorescent proteins, short-circuit current, and patch-clamp techniques. Our results indicate that TMEM16A is an intrinsic constituent of the calcium-dependent chloride channel. Identification of a previously unknown family of membrane proteins associated with chloride channel function will improve our understanding of chloride transport physiopathology and allow for the development of pharmacological tools useful for basic research and drug development.     

Identification of p53 as a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein

The tumor-suppressor gene p53 is altered by missense mutation in numerous human malignancies. However, the biochemical properties of p53 and the effect of mutation on these properties are unclear. A human DNA sequence was identified that binds specifically to wild-type human p53 protein in vitro. As few as 33 base pairs were sufficient to confer specific binding. Certain guanines within this 33-base pair region were critical, as methylation of these guanines or their substitution with thymine-abrogated binding. Human p53 proteins containing either of two missense mutations commonly found in human tumors were unable to bind significantly to this sequence. These data suggest that a function of p53 may be mediated by its ability to bind to specific DNA sequences in the human genome, and that this activity is altered by mutations that occur in human tumors.     

Influence of synaptic vesicle position on release probability and exocytotic fusion mode

Neurotransmission depends on movements of transmitter-laden synaptic vesicles, but accurate, nanometer-scale monitoring of vesicle dynamics in presynaptic terminals has remained elusive. Here, we report three-dimensional, real-time tracking of quantum dot-loaded single synaptic vesicles with an accuracy of 20 to 30 nanometers, less than a vesicle diameter. Determination of the time, position, and mode of fusion, aided by trypan blue quenching of Qdot fluorescence, revealed that vesicles starting close to their ultimate fusion sites tended to fuse earlier than those positioned farther away. The mode of fusion depended on the prior motion of vesicles, with long-dwelling vesicles preferring kiss-and-run rather than full-collapse fusion. Kiss-and-run fusion events were concentrated near the center of the synapse, whereas full-collapse fusion events were broadly spread.     

Bacteriophage M13 procoat protein inserts into the plasma membrane as a loop structure

The major coat protein of bacteriophage M13 is synthesized as a precursor, the procoat, with a typical leader (signal) sequence of 23 residues at its NH2-terminus. A fusion protein that contains the NH2-terminal 141 residues of cytoplasmic ribulokinase and all but the first ten residues of M13 procoat was made. The fusion protein inserts into the plasma membrane of Escherichia coli and is processed by leader peptidase to give rise to a leader peptide of 155 residues and the mature coat protein of 50 residues. The NH2-terminus of the leader peptide remains in the cytoplasm and is protected from protease added to the medium outside of the cell. This indicates that M13 procoat inserts into the membrane as a loop structure and that the NH2-terminus of a leader peptide remains within the cytoplasm during membrane insertion.     

Three-dimensional structure of a recombinant gap junction membrane channel

Gap junction membrane channels mediate electrical and metabolic coupling between adjacent cells. The structure of a recombinant cardiac gap junction channel was determined by electron crystallography at resolutions of 7.5 angstroms in the membrane plane and 21 angstroms in the vertical direction. The dodecameric channel was formed by the end-to-end docking of two hexamers, each of which displayed 24 rods of density in the membrane interior, which is consistent with an alpha-helical conformation for the four transmembrane domains of each connexin subunit. The transmembrane alpha-helical rods contrasted with the double-layered appearance of the extracellular domains. Although not indicative for a particular type of secondary structure, the protein density that formed the extracellular vestibule provided a tight seal to exclude the exchange of substances with the extracellular milieu.     

斑点叉尾鮰出血性败血症的病原鉴定及药敏试验

[目的]明确重庆市万州区某养殖场斑点叉尾鮰暴发出血性败血症的病因,为实际生产中有效防控该病提供参考依据.[方法]通过常规的细菌分离纯化、生理生化试验、16S rDNA序列和cpn60基因检测、系统进化分析及动物回归感染试验对病原菌进行鉴定,并采用K-B药敏纸片扩散法进行病原菌药敏试验.[结果]从患病斑点叉尾鮰的肝脏、肾脏、脾脏和脑组织中分离获得1株优势菌(WZ1906),革兰氏染色呈阴性,短杆状,两端钝圆;其菌落表面光滑湿润,边缘整齐,直径大小为1~2 mm,呈灰白色至浅黄色;有运动性,氧化酶反应、V-P反应、精氨酸双水解酶试验均呈阳性,能发酵葡萄糖、蔗糖、麦芽糖和乳糖,能水解明胶和七叶灵,产生吲哚.WZ1906菌株16S rDNA序列和cpn60基因的核苷酸序列均与嗜水气单胞菌相关基因的核苷酸序列高度同源,其相似性达100%;从基于16S rDNA序列和cpn60基因核苷酸序列相似性构建的系统发育进化树也可看出,WZ1906菌株与嗜水气单胞菌聚为一支.以WZ1906菌株回归感染的斑点叉尾鮰均发病死亡,其体表和鳍条基部出血,肝脏、肾脏和脾脏肿大充血,肠道出血,与自然发病斑点叉尾鮰的症状相似,但未观察到明显的肠套叠症状.WZ1906菌株对苯唑西林、大观霉素、克拉霉素、氯霉素、四环素、诺氟沙星、环丙沙星、多粘菌素B、复方新诺明及呋喃妥因等28种药物敏感,对青霉素G、氨苄西林和头孢噻吩已产生耐药性(不敏感).[结论]引起重庆市万州区某养殖场斑点叉尾鮰出血性败血症的病原菌是嗜水气单胞菌,可选用恩诺沙星、氟苯尼考或复方新诺明等水产类常用抗菌药物进行防治.在实际生产过程中应定期对养殖水体进行养护,科学投喂,从根本上预防斑点叉尾鮰肠套叠的发生,降低其防治难度.     

A light-actuated nanovalve derived from a channel protein

Toward the realization of nanoscale device control, we report a molecular valve embedded in a membrane that can be opened by illumination with long-wavelength ultraviolet (366 nanometers) light and then resealed by visible irradiation. The valve consists of a channel protein, the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) from Escherichia coli, modified by attachment of synthetic compounds that undergo light-induced charge separation to reversibly open and close a 3-nanometer pore. The system is compatible with a classical encapsulation system, the liposome, and external photochemical control over transport through the channel is achieved.     

Selective solubilization of a protein component of the red cell membrane

Approximately 20 percent of the membrane-bound protein of erythrocyte ghosts can be solubilized and obtained free of other membrane components by dialysis against adenosine triphosphate and 2-mercaptoethanol. This protein forms one major band on polyacrylamide gels and a single boundary in free-boundary electrophoresis, and it undergoes polymerization in the presence of divalent cations to form coiled filaments visible by electron microscopy. Antibodies to this membrane protein react specifically with red blood cells or their membrane ghosts but do not react with serum, erythrocyte cytoplasm, or other blood cells. The functional role of this protein is unknown, but it appears to be involved in maintaiining the structure of the red cell membrane. We suggest that this protein be called Spectrin since it is obtained from membrane ghosts.     

A mechanosensitive ion channel in the yeast plasma membrane

Mechanosensitive ion channels use mechanical energy to gate the dissipation of electrochemical gradients across cell membranes. This function is fundamental to physiological processes such as hearing and touch. In electrophysiological studies of ion channels in the plasma membrane of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, channels were observed that were activated by, and adapted to, stretching of the membrane. Adaptation of channel activity to mechanical stimuli was voltage-dependent. Because these mechanosensitive channels pass both cations and anions, they may play a role in turgor regulation in this walled organism.     

A voltage sensor-domain protein is a voltage-gated proton channel

Voltage-gated proton channels have been widely observed but have not been identified at a molecular level. Here we report that a four-transmembrane protein similar to the voltage-sensor domain of voltage-gated ion channels is a voltage-gated proton channel. Cells overexpressing this protein showed depolarization-induced outward currents accompanied by tail currents. Current reversal occured at equilibrium potentials for protons. The currents exhibited pH-dependent gating and zinc ion sensitivity, two features which are characteristic of voltage-gated proton channels. Responses of voltage dependence to sequence changes suggest that mouse voltage-sensor domain-only protein is itself a channel, rather than a regulator of another channel protein.     

NMR structure of Mistic, a membrane-integrating protein for membrane protein expression

Although structure determination of soluble proteins has become routine, our understanding of membrane proteins has been limited by experimental bottlenecks in obtaining both sufficient yields of protein and ordered crystals. Mistic is an unusual Bacillus subtilis integral membrane protein that folds autonomously into the membrane, bypassing the cellular translocon machinery. Using paramagnetic probes, we determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy that the protein forms a helical bundle with a surprisingly polar lipid-facing surface. Additional experiments suggest that Mistic can be used for high-level production of other membrane proteins in their native conformations, including many eukaryotic proteins that have previously been intractable to bacterial expression.     

Role of a highly conserved bacterial protein in outer membrane protein assembly

After transport across the cytoplasmic membrane, bacterial outer membrane proteins are assembled into the outer membrane. Meningococcal Omp85 is a highly conserved protein in Gram-negative bacteria, and its homolog Toc75 is a component of the chloroplast protein-import machinery. Omp85 appeared to be essential for viability, and unassembled forms of various outer membrane proteins accumulated upon Omp85 depletion. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed decreased surface exposure of outer membrane proteins, which was particularly apparent at the cell-division planes. Thus, Omp85 is likely to play a role in outer membrane protein assembly.     

Clathrin: a role in the intracellular retention of a Golgi membrane protein

Yeast mutants deficient in the clathrin heavy chain secrete a precursor form of the alpha-factor, a peptide-mating pheromone. Analysis of this defect indicates that the endoprotease Kex2p, which is responsible for initiating proteolytic maturation of the alpha-factor precursor in the Golgi apparatus, is unexpectedly present at the plasma membrane in mutant cells. This result suggest that clathrin is required for the retention of Kex2p in the Golgi apparatus.     

NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic reinforcement as a crucial process for memory consolidation

The hippocampal CA1 region is crucial for converting new memories into long-term memories, a process believed to continue for week(s) after initial learning. By developing an inducible, reversible, and CA1-specific knockout technique, we could switch N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function off or on in CA1 during the consolidation period. Our data indicate that memory consolidation depends on the reactivation of the NMDA receptor, possibly to reinforce site-specific synaptic modifications to consolidate memory traces. Such a synaptic reinforcement process may also serve as a cellular means by which the new memory is transferred from the hippocampus to the cortex for permanent storage.