Biochemical interaction of an actin-capping protein, CapZ, with NAP-22

Oligomerization and aggregation of NAP-22 with several metal ions

Metal ions participate in various biochemical processes such as electron transport chain, gene transcription, and enzymatic reactions. Furthermore, the aggregation promoting effect of several metal ions on neuronal proteins such as prion, tau, Aβ peptide, and α-synuclein, has been reported. NAP-22 (also called BASP1 or CAP-23) is a neuron-enriched calmodulin-binding protein and one of the major proteins in the detergent-resistant membrane microdomain fraction of the neuronal cell membrane. Previously, we showed oligomer formation of NAP-22 in the presence of several phospholipids and fatty acids. In this study, we found the aggregation of NAP-22 by FeCl2, FeCl3, and AlCl3 using native-PAGE. Oligomer or aggregate formation of NAP-22 by ZnCl2 or CuSO4 was shown with SDS-PAGE after cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. Morphological analysis with electron microscopy revealed the formation of large aggregates composed of small annular oligomers in the presence of FeCl3, AlCl3, or CuSO4. In case of FeCl2 or ZnCl2, instead of large aggregates, scattered annular and globular oligomers were observed. Interestingly, metal ion induced aggregation of NAP-22 was inhibited by several coenzymes such as NADP+, NADPH, or thiamine pyrophosphate. Since NAP-22 is highly expressed in the presynaptic region of the synapse, this result suggests the participation of metal ions not only on the protein and membrane dynamics at the presynaptic region, but also on the metabolic regulation though the interaction with coenzymes.

The actin-cytoskeleton associating protein BASP1 regulates neural progenitor localization in the neural tube

Brain acid soluble protein 1 (BASP1; previously NAP22 or CAP23) is an actin-associating protein that is highly expressed in the nervous system throughout development. While its roles at the neuromuscular junction and in certain non-neuronal tissues have been previously characterized, its function in the early neural tube is unclear. Using in ovo electroporation in the chicken (Gallus gallus) embryonic neural tube, we show that BASP1 overexpression resulted in the appearance of ectopic neural progenitor cells within the marginal zone of the neural tube. BASP1 knockdown did not affect the position of neural progenitors but did alter the complexity of axons developing from differentiated neurons. This suggests a role for BASP1 in regulating the apical polarity of progenitor cells and axon trajectories from developing neurons.

The effects of phospholipids and fatty acids on the oligomer formation of NAP-22

Recovery of various signal transduction molecules in the detergent-resistant membrane microdomain (DRM) fraction suggests the importance of this region in cellular functions. NAP-22 (also called BASP1 or CAP-23) is a neuron-enriched calmodulin-binding protein and one of the major proteins in the DRM fraction of the neuronal cell membrane. Previous studies showed tight binding activity of NAP-22 to acidic membrane lipids and the self-interaction of NAP-22, i.e., oligomerization. In this study, the effect of various phospholipids, lysophospholipids and fatty acids on the oligomerization of NAP-22 was studied through SDS-PAGE after chemical cross-linking and electron microscopic observation. High molecular mass oligomers were detected by SDS-PAGE after incubation in solutions containing over 20 mM NaCl at pH 6.5-8.5, even in the absence of lipid addition, and the addition of Ca²⁺/calmodulin abolished oligomerization. Higher molecular mass oligomer formation after incubation with acidic phospholipids was detected with gradient SDS-PAGE. Much higher mass oligomers were detected in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Electron microscopic analysis of the samples after SDS treatment showed tangled rope-like structures. Liposome-bound NAP-22 showed small oval or annular structures after cross-linking and SDS treatment. These oligomers were suggested to make the tangled rope-like structures, for annular structures of the same size were observed in the structure. These results suggest the participation of NAP-22 to liquid-liquid phase separation through oligomerization.

Exploring the brain tissue proteome of TgCRND8 Alzheimer's Disease model mice under B vitamin deficient diet induced hyperhomocysteinemia by LC-MS top-down platform

The multifactorial nature of Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD), the AD form of major relevance on epidemiological and social aspects, has driven the original investigation by LC-MS and top-down proteomics approach of the protein repertoire of the brain tissue of TgCRND8 model mice fed with a diet deficient in B vitamins. The analysis of the acid-soluble fraction of brain tissue homogenates identified a list of proteins and peptides, proteoforms and PTMs. In order to disclose possible modulations, their relative quantification in wild type and AD model mice under both B vitamin deficient and control diets was performed. The levels of metallothionein III, guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(I)/G(S)/G(O) subunit gamma-2 and brain acid soluble protein 1 showed statistically significant alterations depending on genotype, diet or both effects, respectively. Particularly, metallothionein III exhibited increased levels in TgCRND8 mice under B vitamin deficient diet with respect to wild type mice under both diets. Brain acid soluble protein 1 showed the opposite, revealing decreased levels in all diet groups of AD model mice with respect to wild type mice in control diet. Lower levels of brain acid soluble protein 1 were also observed in wild type mice under deficiency of B vitamins. These results, besides contributing to increase the knowledge of AD at molecular level, give new suggestions for deeply investigating metallothionein III and brain acid soluble protein 1 in AD.

A Unique Family of Neuronal Signaling Proteins Implicated in Oncogenesis and Tumor Suppression

The neuronal proteins GAP43 (neuromodulin), MARCKS, and BASP1 are highly expressed in the growth cones of nerve cells where they are involved in signal transmission and cytoskeleton organization. Although their primary structures are unrelated, these signaling proteins share several structural properties like fatty acid modification, and the presence of cationic effector domains. GAP43, MARCKS, and BASP1 bind to cell membrane phospholipids, a process reversibly regulated by protein kinase C-phosphorylation or by binding to the calcium sensor calmodulin (CaM). GAP43, MARCKS, and BASP1 are also expressed in non-neuronal cells, where they may have important functions to manage cytoskeleton architecture, and in case of MARCKS and BASP1 to act as cofactors in transcriptional regulation. During neoplastic cell transformation, the proteins reveal differential expression in normal vs. tumor cells, and display intrinsic tumor promoting or tumor suppressive activities. Whereas GAP43 and MARCKS are oncogenic, tumor suppressive functions have been ascribed to BASP1 and in part to MARCKS depending on the cell type. Like MARCKS, the myristoylated BASP1 protein is localized both in the cytoplasm and in the cell nucleus. Nuclear BASP1 participates in gene regulation converting the Wilms tumor transcription factor WT1 from an oncoprotein into a tumor suppressor. The BASP1 gene is downregulated in many human tumor cell lines particularly in those derived from leukemias, which display elevated levels of WT1 and of the major cancer driver MYC. BASP1 specifically inhibits MYC-induced cell transformation in cultured cells. The tumor suppressive functions of BASP1 and MARCKS could be exploited to expand the spectrum of future innovative therapeutic approaches to inhibit growth and viability of susceptible human tumors.

Interaction of dynamin I with NAP-22, a neuronal protein enriched in the presynaptic region

Neurons have well-developed membrane microdomains called "rafts" that are recovered as a detergent-resistant low-density membrane microdomain fraction (DRM). NAP-22 is one of the major protein components of neuronal DRM and localizes in the presynaptic region. In order to know the role of NAP-22 in the synaptic transmission, NAP-22 binding proteins in the cytosol were searched with an affinity screening with NAP-22 as a bait and several protein bands were detected. Using mass-analysis and western blotting, one of the main band of ∼90 kDa was identified as dynamin I. The GTPase activity of dynamin I was partly inhibited by NAP-22 expressed in bacteria and this inhibition was recovered by the addition of calmodulin, a NAP-22 binding protein. The GTPase activity of dynamin was known to be activated with acidic membrane lipids such as phosphatidylserine and the addition of NAP-22, a phosphatidylserine binding protein, inhibited the activation of the GTPase by this lipid. Since NAP-22 localizes on the presynaptic plasma membrane and on synaptic vesicles, these results suggest the participation of NAP-22 in the membrane cycling through binding to dynamin and acidic membrane lipids at the presynaptic region.

Tight binding of NAP-22 with acidic membrane lipids

Recovery of various signal transduction molecules in the detergent-resistant membrane microdomain (DRM) fraction suggests the importance of this region in cellular functions. Insolubility of the outer leaflet of DRM to the non-ionic detergent is ascribed to the tight association of cholesterol and sphingolipid. Since, poor localization of sphingolipid is observed in the inner leaflet, the physicochemical background of the insolubility of the inner leaflet is hence still an enigma. NAP-22 (also called BASP1 or CAP-23) is a neuron-enriched calmodulin-binding protein and one of the major proteins in the DRM of the neuronal cell membrane. A previous study showed the presence of several lipids in a NAP-22 fraction after the process of extraction and column chromatography. In this study, the effect of lipid extraction on NAP-22 was studied through native-gel electrophoresis, ultracentrifugation, and electron microscopic observation. The mobility of NAP-22 in native-PAGE was shifted from low to high after delipidation. Delipidated NAP-22 bound phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinosotol, and ganglioside. Some part of the mixture of PS and NAP-22 was recovered in the insoluble fraction after Triton X-100 treatment and the addition of cholesterol enhanced the amount of NAP-22 in the insoluble fraction.

Ganglioside contained in the neuronal tissue-enriched acidic protein of 22 kDa (NAP-22) fraction prepared from the detergent-resistant membrane microdomain of rat brain inhibits the phosphatase activity of calcineurin

Neurons have well-developed membrane microdomains called "rafts" that are recovered as a detergent-resistant membrane microdomain fraction (DRM). Neuronal tissue-enriched acidic protein of 22 kDa (NAP-22) is one of the major protein components of neuronal DRM. To determine the cellular function of NAP-22, interacting proteins were screened with an immunoprecipitation assay, and calcineurin (CaN) was detected. Further studies with NAP-22 prepared from DRM and CaN expressed in bacteria showed the binding of these proteins and a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of the NAP-22 fraction on the phosphatase activity of CaN. On the other hand, NAP-22 expressed in bacteria showed low binding to CaN and a weak inhibitory effect on phosphatase activity. To solve this discrepancy, identification of a nonprotein component that modulates CaN activity in the DRM-derived NAP-22 fraction was attempted. After lyophilization, a lipid fraction was extracted with chloroform/methanol. The lipid fraction showed an inhibitory effect on CaN without NAP-22, and further fractionation of the extract with thin-layer chromatography showed the presence of several lipid bands having an inhibitory effect on CaN. The mobility of these bands coincided with that of authentic ganglioside (GM1a, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b), and authentic ganglioside showed an inhibitory effect on CaN. Treatment of lipid with endoglycoceramidase, which degrades ganglioside to glycochain and ceramide, caused a diminution of the inhibitory effect. These results show that DRM-derived NAP-22 binds several lipids, including ganglioside, and that ganglioside inhibits the phosphatase activity of CaN.

Structural and thermodynamic characterization of the recognition of the S100-binding peptides TRTK12 and p53 by calmodulin

Calmodulin (CaM) is a multifunctional messenger protein that activates a wide variety of signaling pathways in eukaryotic cells in a calcium-dependent manner. CaM has been proposed to be functionally distinct from the S100 proteins, a related family of eukaryotic calcium-binding proteins. Previously, it was demonstrated that peptides derived from the actin-capping protein, TRTK12, and the tumor-suppressor protein, p53, interact with multiple members of the S100 proteins. To test the specificity of these peptides, they were screened using isothermal titration calorimetry against 16 members of the human S100 protein family, as well as CaM, which served as a negative control. Interestingly, both the TRTK12 and p53 peptides were found to interact with CaM. These interactions were further confirmed by both fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. These peptides have distinct sequences from the known CaM target sequences. The TRTK12 peptide was found to independently interact with both CaM domains and bind with a stoichiometry of 2:1 and dissociations constants Kd,C-term  = 2 ± 1 µM and Kd,N-term  = 14 ± 1 µM. In contrast, the p53 peptide was found to interact only with the C-terminal domain of CaM, Kd,C-term = 2 ± 1 µM, 25°C. Using NMR spectroscopy, the locations of the peptide binding sites were mapped onto the structure of CaM. The binding sites for both peptides were found to overlap with the binding interface for previously identified targets on both domains of CaM. This study demonstrates the plasticity of CaM in target binding and may suggest a possible overlap in target specificity between CaM and the S100 proteins.

BASP1 and its N-end fragments (BNEMFs) dynamics in rat brain during development

Protein BASP1 was discovered in brains of mammals and birds. In presynaptic area of synapses, BASP1 is attached to plasma membrane owing to N-terminal myristoylation as well as to the positively charged "effecter domain". BASP1 interactions with other proteins as well as with lipids contribute to membrane traffic, axon outgrowth and synaptic plasticity. BASP1 is present also in other tissues, where it was found not only in cytoplasm, but also in nucleus. Nuclear BASP1 suppresses activity of transcription factor WT1 and acts as tumor suppressor. BASP1 deficiency in a cell leads to its transformation. Previously it was shown that in BASP1 samples prepared from different animals and different tissues, six BASP1 N-end myristoylated fragments (BNEMFs) are present. Together, they amount to 30 % of the whole molecules. BNEMFs presence in different species and tissues demonstrates their physiological significance. However BNEMFs remain unexplored. In this paper, the time of appearance and dynamics of both BASP1 and BNEMFs during rat development from embryo to adult animals were determined. In rat brain, the amounts of all BASP1 forms per cell systematically increase during development and remain at the highest levels in adult animals. BNEMFs appear during embryogenesis non-simultaneously and accumulate with different dynamics. These results say for formation of six BNEMFs in the course of different processes and, possibly, using different mechanisms.

Interaction of NAP-22 with brain glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)

NAP-22 (also called BASP1 or CAP-23) is a neuron-enriched protein localized mainly in the synaptic vesicles and the synaptic plasma membrane. Biochemically, it is recovered in the lipid raft fraction. In order to understand the physiological function of the neuronal lipid raft, NAP-22 binding proteins were screened with a pull-down assay. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) was detected through LC-MS/MS, and Western blotting using a specific antibody confirmed the result. Two isoforms of GAD, GAD65 and GAD67, were expressed in bacteria as GST-fusion forms and the interaction with NAP-22 was confirmed in vitro. Partial co-localization of NAP-22 with GAD65 and GAD67 was also observed in cultured neurons. The binding showed no effect on the enzymatic activity of GAD65 and GAD67. These results hence suggest that NAP-22 could participate in the transport of GAD65 and GAD67 to the presynaptic termini and their retention on the synaptic vesicles as an anchoring protein.

Repression of transcription by WT1-BASP1 requires the myristoylation of BASP1 and the PIP2-dependent recruitment of histone deacetylase

The Wilms' tumor 1 protein WT1 is a transcriptional regulator that is involved in cell growth and differentiation. The transcriptional corepressor BASP1 interacts with WT1 and converts WT1 from a transcriptional activator to a repressor. Here, we demonstrate that the N-terminal myristoylation of BASP1 is required in order to elicit transcriptional repression at WT1 target genes. We show that myristoylated BASP1 binds to nuclear PIP2, which leads to the recruitment of PIP2 to the promoter regions of WT1-dependent target genes. BASP1's myristoylation and association with PIP2 are required for the interaction of BASP1 with HDAC1, which mediates the recruitment of HDAC1 to the promoter and elicits transcriptional repression. Our findings uncover a role for myristoylation in transcription, as well as a critical function for PIP2 in gene-specific transcriptional repression through the recruitment of histone deacetylase.

Immunoelectron microscopic study of BASP1 and MARCKS location in the early and late rat spermatids

Immunoelectron microscopy was used to locate the proteins BASP1 and MARCKS in the post-meiotic spermatids of male rat testis. It was shown that in early spermatids, BASP1 and MARCKS accumulate in chromatoid bodies, which are characteristic organelles for these cells. During spermatogenesis, while the spermatid nucleus is still active, the chromatoid body periodically moves to the cell nucleus and absorbs the precursors of definite mRNAs and small RNAs. mRNAs are preserved in the chromatoid body until the corresponding proteins are needed, but their "fresh" mRNA cannot be formed due to the nucleus inactivation. The chromatoid body (0.5-1.5μm in diameter) has a cloud-like fibrous appearance with many fairly round cavities. In the chromatoid body, BASP1 and MARCKS are distributed mainly around the cavities and at periphery. Based on the known functions of BASP1 and MARCKS in neurons, it is conceivable that these proteins participate in non-random movements of the chromatoid body to the nucleus and in Ca(2+)-calmodulin enrichment. In late spermatids, BASP1 and MARCKS are located in the outer dense fiber layer belonging to a metabolically active spermatozoon region, the tail mid-piece. In spermatozoa, as in chromatoid body, BASP1 and MARCKS may bind Ca(2+)-calmodulin and therefore contribute to the activation of calcium-dependent biochemical processes.

Maternal perinatal undernutrition has long-term consequences on morphology, function and gene expression of the adrenal medulla in the adult male rat

Epidemiological studies suggest that maternal undernutrition sensitises to the development of chronic adult diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Although the physiological mechanisms involved in this 'perinatal programming' remain largely unknown, alterations of stress neuroendocrine systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and sympathoadrenal axes might play a crucial role. Despite recent reports showing that maternal perinatal undernutrition disturbs chromaffin cells organisation and activity in male rats at weaning, its long-term effects on adrenal medulla in adult animals are unknown. Using a rat model of maternal perinatal 50% food restriction (FR50) from the second week of gestation until weaning, histochemistry approaches revealed alterations in noradrenergic chromaffin cells aggregation and in cholinergic innervation in the adrenal medulla of 8-month-old FR50 rats. Electron microscopy showed that chromaffin cell granules exhibited ultrastructural changes in FR50 rats. These morphological changes were associated with reduced circulating levels and excretion of catecholamines. By contrast, catecholamine plasma levels were significantly increased after a 16 or 72 h of fasting, indicating that the responsiveness of the sympathoadrenal system to food deprivation was accentuated in FR50 adult rats. Among 384 pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-sensitive genes, we identified 129 genes (33.6%) that were under expressed (ratio < 0.7) in FR50 animals. A large number of these genes are involved in cytoskeleton remodelling and vesicle trafficking. Taken together, our results show that maternal perinatal undernutrition programmes adrenomedullary function and gene expression in adult male rats. Because catecholamines contribute to metabolic homeostasis, as well as arterial blood pressure regulation, the alterations observed in the adrenal medulla of adult male FR50 rats may participate in the programming of chronic adult diseases.

Oligomeric structure of brain abundant proteins GAP-43 and BASP1

Brain abundant proteins GAP-43 and BASP1 participate in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in neuronal axon terminals. The proposed mechanism suggests that the proteins sequester phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate (PIP(2)) in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. We found that model anionic phospholipid membranes in the form of liposomes induce rapid oligomerization of GAP-43 and BASP1 proteins. Multiply charged phosphoinositides produced the most potent effect. Anionic detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at submicellar concentration stimulated formation of similar oligomers in solution. BASP1, but not GAP-43, also formed oligomers at sufficiently high concentration in the absence of lipids and SDS. Electron microscopy study demonstrated that the oligomers have disk-shaped or annular structure of 10-30nm in diameter. BASP1 also formed higher aggregates of linear rod-like structure, with average length of about 100nm. In outward appearance, the oligomers and linear aggregates are reminiscent of oligomers and protofibrils of amyloid proteins. Both the synthetic N-terminal peptide GAP-43(1-40) and the brain-derived fragment GAP-43-3 preserved the ability to oligomerize under the action of acidic phospholipids and SDS. On the contrary, BASP1 fragment truncated by the short N-terminal myristoylated peptide was unable to form oligomers. GAP-43 and BASP1 oligomerization can be regulated by calmodulin, which disrupts the oligomers and displaces the proteins from the membrane. We suggest that in vivo, the role of membrane-bound GAP-43 and BASP1 oligomers consists in accumulation of PIP(2) in functional clusters, which become accessible for other PIP(2)-binding proteins after dissociation of the oligomers.