Characterization of multiple phosphorylation sites on the AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit

We have characterized the phosphorylation of the glutamate receptor subunit GluR1, using biochemical and electrophysiological techniques. GluR1 is phosphorylated on multiple sites that are all located on the C-terminus of the protein. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase specifically phosphorylates SER-845 of GluR1 in transfected HEK cells and in neurons in culture. Phosphorylation of this residue results in a 40% potentiation of the peak current through GluR1 homomeric channels. In addition, protein kinase C specifically phosphorylates Ser-831 of GluR1 in HEK-293 cells and in cultured neurons. These results are consistent with the recently proposed transmembrane topology models of glutamate receptors, in which the C-terminus is intracellular. In addition, the modulation of GluR1 by PKA phosphorylation of Ser-845 suggests that phosphorylation of this residue may underlie the PKA-induced potentiation of AMPA receptors in neurons.

The mouse APLP2 gene. Chromosomal localization and promoter characterization

Senile plaques are primarily comprised of deposits of the beta-amyloid precursor-like proteins APLP1 and APLP2. proteins (APPs). APP is a member of a gene family, including amyloid precursor-like proteins APLP1 and APLP2. Using interspecific mouse backcross mapping, we localized the mouse APLP2 gene to the promixmal region of mouse chromosome 9, syntenic with a region of human 11q. We cloned an approximately 1.2-kilobase mouse genomic fragment containing the APLP2 gene promoter. The APLP2 promoter lacks a typical TATA box, is GC-rich, and contains several sequences for transcription factor binding. S1 nuclease protection analysis revealed the presence of multiple transcription start sites. The lack of a TATA box, the presence of a high GC content, and multiple transcription start sites place the APLP2 promoter in the class of promoters of "housekeeping genes." Regulatory regions within the promoter were assayed by transfection of mouse N2a and Ltk- cells with constructs containing progressive 5'-deletions of the APLP2 promoter fused to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene. A minimal region that includes sequences 99 bp upstream of the predominant transcription start site of the APLP2 promoter was sufficient to direct high levels of CAT expression.

Detection of soluble forms of the beta-amyloid precursor protein in human plasma

A approximately 40-residue fragment of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) is progressively deposited in the extracellular spaces of brain and blood vessels in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Down's syndrome and aged normal subjects. Soluble, truncated forms of APP lacking the carboxyl terminus are normally secreted from cultured cells expressing this protein and are found in cerebrospinal fluid. Here, we report the detection of a similar soluble APP isoform in human plasma. This approximately 125 kDa protein, which was isolated from plasma by Affi-Gel Blue chromatography or dialysis-induced precipitation, comigrates with the larger of the two major soluble APP forms present in spinal fluid and contains the Kunitz protease inhibitor insert. It thus derives from the APP751 and APP770 precursors; a soluble form of APP695 has not yet been detected in plasma. The approximately 125 kDa plasma form lacks the C-terminal region and is unlikely to serve as a precursor for the beta-protein that forms the amyloid in AD.