Evidence that a cerebellum-enriched, synaptic junction glycoprotein is related to fodrin and resists extraction with triton in a calcium-dependent manner

Inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) receptor

The intensive molecular and biochemical study of IP(3)R has made great progress in elucidating the following unique properties of IP(3)R: 1) IP(3) dependent Ca(2+) release is quantal in nature; 2) IP(3)R allosterically and dynamically changes its form; 3) IP(3)R is functional even though it is fragmented by proteases into several pieces; 4) IP(3)R forms a functional association with a variety of molecules inside the cell, and with the channels on the plasma membrane; 5) the extremely high IP(3) binding affinity (500 approximately 1000 times higher than the original IP(3)R) sequence in the IP(3) binding region is covered with a suppressor sequence at the N-terminal. In parallel with these biochemical studies, studies on the role of IP(3)R during development have greatly advanced. Since IP(3)R was identified as a developmentally regulated phospho-glycoprotein, the Ca(2+) channel P400, it has diverse but essential functions in development and normal cell function.

Inositol trisphosphate receptor and Ca2+ signalling

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) is a second messenger that releases Ca2+ from the intracellular stores. The InsP3 receptor (InsP3-R) was purified and its cDNA was cloned. We have found that InsP3-R is identical to the P400 protein identified as a protein enriched in the cerebellar Purkinje cells. We generated an L fibroblast cell transfectant that produced cDNA derived InsP3-R. The expressed protein displays high affinity and specificity for InsP3. InsP3 induces Ca2+ release from the membrane vesicles of the transfected cells. Incorporation of purified InsP3-R into a lipid bilayer showed InsP3 induced Ca2+ release. These result suggest that InsP3-R is a Ca2+ release channel. Immunogold method using monoclonal antibodies against the receptor showed that it is highly condensed on the smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and slightly on the outer nuclear membrane and rough ER. Cross linking experiments show that the InsP3-R forms a homotetramer. The approximately 650 N-terminal amino acids are highly conserved between mouse and Drosophila melanogaster, and this region has the critical sequences for InsP3 binding. We found novel subtypes of the InsP3-R resulting from RNA-splicing that are expressed in a tissue-specific and developmentally specific manner and also resulting from different genes. It is believed that there are two Ca2+ release mechanisms, InsP3-induced Ca2+ release (IICR) and Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR). Eggs are good materials to analyse the machanism of Ca2+ signalling: fertilized hamster eggs exhibit repetitive Ca2+ transients as well as the Ca2+ wave.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

P400 protein is one of the major substrates for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the postsynaptic density-enriched fraction isolated from rat cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum

Concanavalin A-binding glycoprotein with 250 K M(r) found in the postsynaptic density (PSD)-enriched preparation (or synaptic cytoskeleton) from rat cerebellum was identified with P400 protein from the physicochemical properties and enrichment in the cerebellum. Proteins homologous to the cerebellar 250 K M(r) protein occurred in the PSD-enriched preparations from rat cerebral cortex and from hippocampus, although the contents in the preparations were very low. The 250 K M(r) proteins in the PSD-enriched preparations from cerebellum and from cerebrum were highly phosphorylated by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II. The protein of synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) and PSD-enriched fractions prepared from cerebral cortex were not phosphorylated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase endogenous to the fractions, whereas the protein from cerebellum was done in SPM and PSD-enriched fractions. The facts suggest that P400 or P400-like protein is closely associated with Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II in the PSD-enriched preparations, especially in the preparation from cerebral cortex. Phosphorylation of the protein by Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II may play an important role in the postsynaptic function in both cerebellum and at least in some areas of cerebrum.

Differential hormonal modulation of brain antigens recognized by the AB-2 monoclonal antibody

The expression of monoclonal antibody AB-2 immunoreactivity is age- and sex-dependent in radial glia of developing rat hypothalamus and is regulated by prenatal exposure to gonadal steroids. In the present study, several proteins were recognized by AB-2 and were distributed selectively in subcellular fractions from neonatal hypothalamus (HYP), remaining forebrain (FB), and brainstem regions. Immunoblots revealed polypeptide bands in 3 major molecular weight classes: one at approximately 195 kDa in the cytosolic compartment; and two doublets at 220 kDa and 340 kDa in both microsomal and crude mitochondrial membrane fractions. The 220 kDa and 340 kDa doublets were also Triton-insoluble, suggesting a cytoskeletal association. The 195 kDa-AB-2-immunoreactive band was present in both Triton-soluble and insoluble fractions. AB-2 also recognized several acidic glycolipids extracted from postnatal rat brain regions on immunoblots following high performance thin layer chromatography. One of the bands from postnatal rat brain extracts migrated similarly to purified bovine brain sulfatide, which was also immunoreactive with AB-2. AB-2 immunoreactivity with proteins, polar lipids, and sulfatide suggests that the epitope is a carbohydrate present in multiple cellular compartments. AB-2 recognized the same molecular bands in males and females. Testosterone treatment selectively decreased the level of the 195 kDa AB-2-immunoreactive polypeptide. The 195 kDa AB-2-immunoreactive polypeptide possibly acts in radial glia in the determination of sexually dimorphic neurons in the preoptic area/hypothalamus.

Structure and function of inositol trisphosphate receptors

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) is a soluble intracellular messenger formed rapidly after activation of a variety of cell-surface receptors that stimulate phosphoinositidase C activity. The initial response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 is a rapid Ca2+ efflux from nonmitochondrial intracellular stores which are probably specialized subcompartments of the endoplasmic reticulum, although their exact identities remain unknown. This initial response is followed by more complex Ca2+ signals: regenerative Ca2+ waves propagate across the cell, repetitive Ca2+ spikes occur, and stimulated Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane contributes to the sustained Ca2+ signal. The mechanisms underlying these complex Ca2+ signals are unknown, although Ins(1,4,5)P3 is clearly involved. The intracellular receptor that mediates Ins(1,4,5)P3-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization has been purified and functionally reconstituted, and its amino acid sequence deduced from its cDNA sequence. These studies demonstrate that the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor has an integral Ca2+ channel separated from the Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding site by a long stretch of residues some of which form binding sites for allosteric regulators, and some of which are substrates for phosphorylation. In this review, we discuss the ligand recognition characteristics of Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors, and their functional properties in their native environment and after purification, and we relate these properties to what is known of the structure of the receptor. In addition to regulation by Ins(1,4,5)P3, the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor is subject to many additional regulatory influences which include Ca2+, adenine nucleotides, pH and phosphorylation by protein kinases. Many of the functional and structural characteristics of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor show striking similarities to another intracellular Ca2+ channel, the ryanodine receptor. These properties of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 are discussed, and their possible roles in contributing to the complex Ca2+ signals evoked by extracellular stimuli are considered.

The inositol 1,4,5,-trisphosphate receptor in cerebellar Purkinje cells: quantitative immunogold labeling reveals concentration in an ER subcompartment

The Ca2+ mobilization effect of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, the second messenger generated via receptor-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, is mediated by binding to intracellular receptors, which are expressed in high concentration in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Partially conflicting previous reports localized the receptor to various subcellular structures: elements of ER, both rough and smooth-surfaced, the nuclear envelope, and even the plasma membrane. We have now reinvestigated the problem quantitatively by using cryosections of rat cerebellar tissue immunolabeled with polyclonal monospecific antibodies against the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. By immunofluorescence the receptor was detected only in Purkinje cells, whereas the other cells of the cerebellar cortex remained negative. In immunogold-decorated ultrathin cryosections of the Purkinje cell body, the receptor was concentrated in cisternal stacks (piles of up to 12 parallel cisternae separated by regularly spaced bridges, located both in the deep cytoplasm and beneath the plasma membrane; average density, greater than 5 particles/micron of membrane profile); in cisternal singlets and doublets adjacent to the plasma membrane (average density, approximately 2.5 particles/micron); and in other apparently smooth-surfaced vesicular and tubular profiles. Additional smooth-surfaced elements were unlabeled. Perinuclear and rough-surfaced ER cisternae were labeled much less by themselves (approximately 0.5 particles/micron, two- to threefold the background), but were often in direct membrane continuity with heavily labeled, smooth-surfaced tubules and cisternal stacks. Finally, mitochondria, Golgi cisternae, multivesicular bodies, and the plasma membrane were unlabeled. In dendrites, approximately half of the nonmitochondrial, membrane-bound structures (cisternae, tubules, and vesicles), as well as small cisternal stacks, were labeled. Dendritic spines always contained immunolabeled cisternae and vesicles. The dendritic plasma membrane, of both shaft and spines, was consistently unlabeled. These results identify a large, smooth-surfaced ER subcompartment that appears equipped to play a key role in the control of Ca2+ homeostasis: in particular, in the generation of [Ca2+]i transients triggered by activation of specific receptors, such as the quisqualate-preferring trans(+/-)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentamedicarboxylic acid glutamatergic receptors, which are largely expressed by Purkinje cells.

Phosphorylation of proteins of the postsynaptic density: effect of development on protein tyrosine kinase and phosphorylation of the postsynaptic density glycoprotein, PSD-GP180

The effect of development on the tyrosine kinase activity of postsynaptic densities (PSDs) has been determined. PSDs were prepared from the forebrains of rats ranging in postnatal age from 13 to 90 days and the phosphorylation of both exogenous and endogenous substrates by tyrosine kinase measured. PSDs exhibited tyrosine kinase activity at all ages examined. Phosphorylation of the exogenous substrates polyglutamyltyrosine (4:1) and [val5] angiotensin II increased twofold between days 17 and 22 and then decreased between days 30 and 90 to levels slightly lower than those present at 13 days. The phosphorylation of endogenous PSD proteins on tyrosine residues, assessed by alkali digestion of polyacrylamide gels of 32P-labelled PSD proteins and by measuring the formation of [32P] phosphotyrosine by PSDs incubated in the presence of [gamma-32P] ATP, closely paralleled the changes in total tyrosine kinase activity. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the PSD-specific glycoprotein, PSD-GP180, also showed a transient increase between days 22 and 30, although its concentration within the PSD continued to increase slowly up to 90 days. The results indicate that the tyrosine kinase activity of PSDs is developmentally regulated and that tyrosine phosphorylation of PSD proteins is limited by enzyme rather than substrate availability.

Primary structure and functional expression of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-binding protein P400

Cloning and expression of functional P400 protein from cerebellar Purkinje neurons shows that this protein is a receptor for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, a second messenger that mediates the release of intracellular calcium.

Phosphorylation of P400 protein by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

Purified P400 protein was phosphorylated by both purified Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) and the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase). Because P400 protein was suggested to function as an integral membrane protein, we investigated the phosphorylation of P400 protein using crude mitochondrial and microsomal fractions (P2/P3 fraction). Incubation of the P2/P3 fraction from mouse cerebellum with cyclic AMP or the catalytic subunit of A-kinase stimulated the phosphorylation of P400 protein. The phosphorylation of P400 protein was not observed in the P2/P3 fraction from mouse forebrain. Cyclic AMP and A-kinase enhanced the phosphorylation of several proteins, including P400 protein, suggesting that P400 protein is one of the best substrates for A-kinase in the P2/P3 fraction. Although endogenous and exogenous CaM kinase II stimulated the phosphorylation of some proteins in the P2/P3 fraction, the phosphorylation of P400 protein was weak. Immunoprecipitation with the monoclonal antibody to P400 protein confirmed that the P400 protein itself was definitely phosphorylated by the catalytic subunit of A-kinase and CaM kinase II. A-kinase phosphorylated only the seryl residue in P400 protein. Immunoblot analysis of the cells in primary culture of mouse cerebellum confirmed the expression of P400 protein, which migrated at the same position on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as that in the P2/P3 fraction. Incubation of the cultured cerebellar cells with [32P]orthophosphate resulted in the labeling of P400 protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Carbohydrate and glycoprotein specificity of two endogenous cerebellar lectins

Two endogenous cerebellar mannose binding lectins have been isolated in an active form by immunoaffinity chromatography employing their respective immobilized antibodies. One of them, termed cerebellar soluble lectin (CSL), was extracted in the absence of detergents, whereas the other, called Receptor 1 (R1), was soluble only in the presence of detergents. Tests of inhibition of agglutination of erythrocytes were performed with mono-, oligo and polysaccharides, as well as glycoconjugates of known structures. On the basis of agglutinating activities these 2 lectins are different from the previously reported lectins in brain, since they were not inhibited by galactosides and lactosides and were only marginally inhibited by glycosaminoglycans. CSL and R1 were better inhibited by mannose-rich glycopeptides as compared to the corresponding oligosaccharides. The different inhibition patterns obtained with glycans of known structures indicated that these lectins are very discriminative. Although CSL and R1 have similar specificities, they differed in their binding properties towards glycopeptides of ovalbumin. Both lectins showed considerable affinity for endogenous cerebellar glycopeptides, also rich in mannose. These glycopeptides belong to a few endogenous Con A-binding cerebellar glycoprotein subunits and are not present on other endogenous Con A-binding glycoproteins. In the forebrain, where CSL and R1 were also present, at least some of the glycoproteins interacting with the lectins were different from that observed in the cerebellum. Our data overall suggest that specific cell recognition in the nervous system could be invoked via the interactions between widely distributed lectins and cell-specific glycoproteins.

Location of a transiently expressed glycoprotein in developing cerebellum delineating its possible ontogenetic roles

The development pattern of a 31,000 mol. wt phosphatidyl inositol-anchored membrane glycoprotein was followed during development in mouse and rat cerebellum using monoclonal antibody 194-653. The epitope was developmentally regulated and particularly abundant in post mitotic precursors of granule cells, newly formed parallel fibres and unmyelinated axons of the white matter between the 5th and the 15th postnatal days. It decreased considerably thereafter. In the adult, a significant although relatively low staining was observed only in white matter. Observation at the ultrastructural level showed that most of the 31,000 mol. wt glycoprotein was very concentrated on neuronal plasma membranes. A little immunoreactivity was also found intracellularly at the perinuclear membrane of neuroblasts of the external germinal layer. The antigen was present in the coated pits and intracellularly in coated vesicles. Immunochemical studies indicated that 31,000 mol. wt antigen was very likely to be a previously identified transient concanavalin A-binding glycoprotein insoluble in neutral detergents (Reeber et al., 1981; Brain Res. 229, 53-65). It appeared to be one of the glycoprotein ligands for two endogenous mannosyl-lectins isolated from rat cerebellum (Zanetta et al., 1985, Devl. Brain Res. 17, 233-243, Zanetta et al., 1987, J. Neurochem. 49, 1250-1257). The affinity of the 31,000 mol. wt glycoprotein for the two endogenous lectins, together with its developmental pattern and localization indicate that it could be an important molecule for contact guidance during migration of neurons and for myelination and could take part in other ontogenetic steps.

Purification and characterization of P400 protein, a glycoprotein characteristic of Purkinje cell, from mouse cerebellum

P400 protein is a concanavalin A (Con A)-binding, 250-kilodalton glycoprotein characteristic of cerebellum. Extraction conditions for P400 protein were investigated, and complete solubilization of P400 protein from a submicrosomal fraction (P31 fraction) of mouse cerebellum was attained by the combination of 4% Zwittergent 3-14 and 4 M guanidinium chloride. The solubilized P400 protein was purified using Sepharose CL-4B and Con A-Sepharose chromatography. A monoclonal antibody (18A10) was prepared against P400 protein. Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F digestion of P400 protein revealed that P400 protein has a small number of asparagine-linked oligosaccharide chains and that the epitope that is recognized by 18A10 monoclonal antibody is not on the asparagine-linked oligosaccharide portion. Tissue distribution of P400 protein was investigated by immunoblot analysis using 18A10 monoclonal antibody. P400 protein was abundant in the cerebellum, but a very small amount of P400 protein or related antigen was also detected in other parts of the nervous system and in nonneural tissues. Immunohistochemical studies indicated that P400 protein was distributed abundantly in the soma, the dendritic arborization, and the axon of the Purkinje cell. No immunoreaction was observed in the other types of cells.

Characterization of novel glycoprotein components of synaptic membranes and postsynaptic densities, gp65 and gp55, with a monoclonal antibody

A monoclonal antibody, mab SMgp65, which recognises two major glycoprotein components of isolated forebrain synaptic subfractions has been raised. The mab has been used to study the cellular and subcellular localisation of these novel glycoproteins and for the partial characterisation of both molecular species. Western blots show that the mab reacts with two diffuse glycoprotein bands (gp) of apparent Mr 65,000, gp65, and 55,000, gp55. Both glycoproteins are membrane-bound, only detectable in CNS tissue and exist solely in a concanavalin A (con A) binding form. Digestion with endoglycosidase H lowers the Mr of both glycoproteins by some 5-7 kDa. Gp65 and gp55 are enriched in synaptic membrane (SM), light membrane (LM) and microsomal fractions. However, whilst gp65 is enriched in isolated postsynaptic densities (psds) gp55 is conspicuously absent from this fraction. Regional distribution studies show a marked variation in the level of gp65. Gp65 is concentrated in several forebrain regions notably cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum, is present only in low levels in cerebellum and is barely detectable in pons and medulla. In contrast gp55 is present in all regions studied, but is most concentrated in cerebellum. Immunocytochemical studies show intense staining of regions rich in gp65, but no staining of regions deficient in this glycoprotein. This suggests that the mab recognises gp65, but not gp55 in fixed tissue sections. Exposure of tissue sections to Triton X-100 increases the intensity of gp65-like immunoreactivity, but does not alter its pattern of subcellular distribution. Higher resolution studies show the immunoreactivity to be localised to subsets of neurites, many being axonal. The reaction deposits also extend into the synaptic region of the immunoreactive neurones. Cultured cerebellar granule cells, but not astrocytes express gp55. The results are discussed in terms of the molecular properties and localisation of these two novel glycoproteins.

Studies on the 240-kDa Con A-binding glycoprotein of rat cerebellum, a putative marker of synaptic junctions

A Con A-binding glycoprotein of Mr 240,000 was isolated from the remaining residue of rat cerebella after sequential extraction with buffers supplemented with or without neutral detergents. It was further purified by affinity chromatography on Con A-Sepharose in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and preparative gel electrophoresis. This glycoprotein partially resists Triton X-100 extraction and is soluble in N-lauryl sarcosinate. The 240-kDa glycoprotein was not detected in kidney, liver, heart, forebrain and was specifically seen in cerebellar homogenate. The isolated glycoprotein appears to be similar, not necessarily identical with the GPA--a synaptic junction 240-kDa Con A-binding glycoprotein isolated from cerebellum earlier (Groswald and Kelly, J. Neurochem., 42 (1984) 534-546). Monospecific antibodies obtained against the purified 240-kDa protein were used for developmental study in normal and hypothyroid rats. There was observed an increase in the amount of 240-kDa glycoprotein, dependent on the age of the rat and this rise was in correlation with the synapse formation in rat cerebellum. The amount of 240-kDa glycoprotein is considerably reduced in hypothyroid rats.

Purification and characterization of PCPP-260: a Purkinje cell-enriched cyclic AMP-regulated membrane phosphoprotein of Mr 260,000

PCPP-260 (Purkinje cell phosphoprotein of Mr 260,000), a substrate for cAMP-dependent protein kinase, appears to be an integral membrane protein highly enriched in Purkinje cells of the mammalian cerebellum (Walaas et al.: J. Neurosci., 3:291-301, 1983; Walaas et al.: J. Neurosci., 6:954-961, 1986). PCPP-260 has now been purified from a crude particulate fraction of bovine cerebellum, using the ionic detergent N-lauryl sarcosine (NLS) as solubilizing agent, and monitoring the purification by silver stain and autoradiography of 32P-phosphorylated samples, after separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Concanavalin A was found to bind to PCPP-260, suggesting that it is a glycoprotein. PCPP-260 was therefore extracted, retained on a column of concanavalin A-agarose, and eluted by alpha-methyl mannoside. Further chromatography on Sephacryl S-400 yielded a preparation that was purified approximately 250-fold relative to the initial particulate fraction and that was at least 95% pure. The protein was estimated to represent approximately 0.4% of total membrane protein in the cerebellum. Peptide mapping and phosphoamino acid analysis following phosphorylation of the protein by cAMP-dependent protein kinase showed one major tryptic phosphopeptide containing phosphoserine. A similar, less prominent protein was also found in membranes from other brain regions but could not be detected in liver membranes. The availability of highly purified PCPP-260 should facilitate the investigation of its possible functional roles in the nervous system.

Cerebellin is a postsynaptic neuropeptide

Cerebellin is a hexadecapeptide that has been biochemically characterized and localized to cerebellar Purkinje cells and certain neurons of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCoN) of rat. Among rabbit antisera produced to synthetic cerebellins, one (C1) gave specific immunostaining of the Purkinje neuronal cell body, initial axon segment, and main stem dendrites, while another (R2) reacted with peripheral dendritic structures. This complementarity of staining was also present during cerebellar development. By electron microscopy, the immunoreaction product was localized to polyribosomal domains with antiserum C1 and to dendritic spines with antiserum R2, in both cerebellar cortex and DCoN. In the spine, the structure most strongly stained was the postsynaptic density, but some reaction product was adsorbed to the plasma membrane, the spine apparatus, and the granulofibrillar cytoplasmic component. Antiserum R2 also stained lysosome-like bodies. We suggest that antiserum C1 recognizes cerebellin precursor(s) and antiserum R2 mature peptide(s) and perhaps degradation product. There is structural homology between cerebellin and residues 625-641 of the polyimmunoglobulin transporter. The functional implications of this homology and other possible roles of cerebellin are discussed.

Substructure in the postsynaptic density of Purkinje cell dendritic spines revealed by rapid freezing and etching

In tissue prepared by rapid freezing, freeze fracture, and shallow etching, the postsynaptic density of Purkinje cell dendritic spines has a substructure consisting of fine filaments and irregular, globular adherent proteins. The number and packing density of the globular proteins vary from region to region within a single density and are even more variable when different junctions are compared. Whereas actinlike microfilaments and spectrinlike filaments are juxtaposed to the postsynaptic density, they do not appear to be continuous with the constituent filaments of the density. We suggest that the postsynaptic density at this class of synapse is composed of fine filamentous proteins that insert on the postsynaptic membrane and serve as a supporting framework for a variety of globular proteins. The globular proteins may vary qualitatively and quantitatively from junction to junction, and are positioned in the region of the spine that has the greatest concentration of ionized calcium entering with the synaptic current, and the greatest extent of postsynaptic depolarization.

Immunocytochemical localization of actin in dendritic spines of the cerebral cortex using colloidal gold as a probe

Immunocytochemical localization of actin in rat cerebral cortex embedded in the resin LR White was performed using 5 nm colloidal gold as a probe. Antigenicity is maintained throughout the embedding procedure and the low electron opacity of LR White permits fine filamentous structures to be visualized. Control experiments included incubating the sections with normal goat serum or mouse IgG instead of the primary antibody, preadsorbing the antibody with actin from bovine muscle or liver acetone powder, and heat treating the primary antibody. Immunoreactive actin was identified primarily in dendritic spines, particularly in the postsynaptic density (PSD), the subsynaptic web, and the spine apparatus and endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Within dendritic spines, actin which is labeled in the PSD is in continuity with the filaments of the subsynaptic web. These filaments, in turn, are in continuity with the spine apparatus and/or the spine membranes adjacent to the PSD. The PSD may therefore function like other submembranous filamentous arrays which communicate events occurring at the membrane, in this case, the postsynaptic membrane, to the underlying cytoskeletal network, i.e., the subsynaptic web of the spine. It is also suggested that the actin present in the spine may play a role in changes in spine shape and synaptic curvature. Some actin was also seen in the presynaptic process in association with synaptic vesicles, the filamentous network that is contiguous with the synaptic vesicle membrane, and the presynaptic dense projections. Actin may be involved in dynamic processes in the presynaptic ending which include vesicle translocation.

Mechanism of cytoskeletal regulation (I): functional differences correlate with antigenic dissimilarity in human brain and erythrocyte spectrin

Human erythrocyte and brain spectrin (fodrin, calspectin) have been compared quantitatively with respect to the extent and sites of antigenic and functional similarity. Brain spectrin cross-reacts strongly with approx. 1% of the epitopes in erythrocyte spectrin, but weakly with at least 50%. The distribution of shared determinants is not uniform. Brain spectrin is most deficient in epitopes characteristic of the 80 kDa and 52 kDa domains of the alpha-subunit (alpha-I and alpha-III) and of terminal portions of the 28 kDa and 74 kDa domains of the beta-subunit (beta-I and beta-IV). The functions associated with these domains also differ between the two proteins. Brain spectrin does not undergo extensive polymerization and binds calmodulin at a different site. The unique ability of erythrocyte spectrin to oligomerize beyond the tetramer reflects its role in the membrane skeleton. Non-erythroid spectrins probably function as specific linkers between membrane receptors and the filamentous cytoskeleton. In this sense, they may act as regulated transducers of information flow between the membrane and the cytoplasmic matrix.

The postsynaptic density: a possible role in long-lasting effects in the central nervous system

A theory is proposed that biochemical changes at the synapse that occur as a result of stimulation of specific neuronal circuits can lead to long-term changes only if alterations occur in synaptic structures in these circuits. The main synaptic structure that is thought to undergo this alteration is the postsynaptic density (PSD). There are many reports in the literature of overall structural changes at the synapse, including the PSD, resulting from various neuronal stimuli. These structural changes are here envisaged to include those of concentration and conformation of PSD proteins, changes that could alter the neural physiology of dendritic spines and even that of the presynaptic terminal.

Comparison of proteins involved with cyclic AMP metabolism between synaptic membrane and postsynaptic density preparations isolated from canine cerebral cortex and cerebellum

Synaptic membrane and postsynaptic density (PSD) fractions isolated from canine cerebral cortex and cerebellum were assayed for the following proteins: adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities against cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, the regulatory subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, and the substrate proteins for this kinase. The results were expressed on the basis of both the protein content of the fractions and the number of synapses in the synaptic membrane fractions. The number of synapses on a constant protein content basis was about three times higher in the cerebral cortex synaptic membrane fraction than in the comparable cerebellar fraction. Adenylate cyclase activity was from 3.4 to 5.6 times higher in the cerebral cortex membrane fraction than in the cerebellar membrane fraction based on protein content but only slightly higher based on synapse counts. PSD fractions had no adenylate cyclase activity. The cyclic AMP-PDE activity was from 17 to 27 times higher in the cerebral cortex membrane fraction than in the cerebellar membrane fraction based on protein content, and about five times higher based on synapse counts. By doing PDE histochemistry at the electron microscopy level it was found that all the cerebral cortex PSDs in the isolated fraction contained PDE activity, none being found associated with the broken-up material in the fraction. The amount of the regulatory subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was about equal in the two fractions based on protein, but about one-third lower in cerebral cortex fraction than in cerebellar fractions. In the cerebral cortex membrane fraction the primary substrate for the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase is synapsin I, with much lower amounts in the cerebellar membrane fraction. The PSD fraction from the two sources also showed these differences in synapsin I content. In the cerebellar membrane fraction, the primary substrate for the enzyme is a approximately 245,000 Mr protein not found in the cerebral cortex membrane fraction. The findings that the turnover of cyclic AMP is much higher in cerebral cortex synapses than in cerebellar synapses, and that differences are found between the cerebral cortex and cerebellum with regard to the substrate proteins for the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase indicate a divergence in the effect of cyclic AMP between cerebral cortex and cerebellar synapses.

Changes in the subcellular distribution of calmodulin-kinase II during brain development

Subcellular fractions prepared from rodent forebrain at different postnatal ages were examined for calmodulin-binding proteins using [125I]calmodulin and a gel overlay technique. Synaptic junction (SJ) fractions from newborn brain, which display purity comparable to adult SJ fractions, contain low but detectable amounts of 60 and 50 kdalton calmodulin-binding polypeptides; the latter being the major postsynaptic density protein. These polypeptides have recently been shown to be the calmodulin-binding protein subunits of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-kinase II). CaM-kinase II polypeptides represented the predominent calmodulin-binding proteins in nearly every subcellular fraction examined, regardless of postnatal age. Large increases were observed in the CaM-kinase II content of every subcellular fraction throughout postnatal development. During development, a striking shift in the subcellular distribution of CaM-kinase Ii was observed. Over 4 times as much CaM-kinase II was cytosolic relative to particulate in newborn brain while this ratio was completely reversed in adult brain. Large age-dependent increases in particulate-associated CaM-kinase II were observed in highly purified synaptic plasma membrane (5-fold) and SJ (14-fold) fractions. The CaM-kinase II content of SJ fractions increased approximately 70% between days 24 and 90, a period in development that follows the most active stages of synapse formation in situ. In adult brain, approximately 60% of CaM-kinase II in crude synaptosomal fractions (P2-INT) was recovered in SJ fractions. The CaM-kinase II in SPM fractions from all developmental ages resists solubilization in Triton X-100 and greater than 90% is recovered in SJ fractions. These studies indicate that during brain development the accumulation of SJ-associated CaM-kinase II represents an important process in the molecular and enzymatic maturation of CNS postsynaptic structures.