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D S Bredt

Publications and source records attributed to D S Bredt.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Dual palmitoylation of PSD-95 mediates its vesiculotubular sorting, postsynaptic targeting, and ion channel clustering.

Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95/SAP-90) is a palmitoylated peripheral membrane protein that scaffolds ion channels at excitatory synapses. To elucidate mechanisms for postsynaptic ion channel clustering, we analyzed the cellular trafficking of PSD-95. We find that PSD-95 transiently associates with a perinuclear membranous compartment and traffics with vesiculotubular structures, which migrate in a microtubule-dependent manner. Trafficking of PSD-95 with these vesiculotubular structures requires dual palmitoylation, which is specified by five consecutive hydrophobic residues at the NH(2) terminus. Mutations that disrupt dual palmitoylation of PSD-95 block both ion channel clustering by PSD-95 and its synaptic targeting. Replacing the palmitoylated NH(2) terminus of PSD-95 with alternative palmitoylation motifs at either the NH(2) or COOH termini restores ion channel clustering also induces postsynaptic targeting, respectively. In brain, we find that PSD-95 occurs not only at PSDs but also in association with intracellular smooth tubular structures in dendrites and spines. These data imply that PSD-95 is an itinerant vesicular protein; initial targeting of PSD-95 to an intracellular membrane compartment may participate in postsynaptic ion channel clustering by PSD-95.

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Inward rectifier K(+) channel Kir2.3 (IRK3) in reactive astrocytes from adult rat brain.

Astrocytic inward rectifying K(+) channels that participate in K(+) spatial buffering in the central nervous system have been extensively investigated, but specific gene products have not been fully identified. We studied primary cultured reactive astrocytes of stellate and polygonal morphology from adult rat brains, as well as stellate astrocytes from neonatal rat brains. Single-channel recordings of cell-attached patches revealed that polygonal reactive astrocytes expressed only one hyperpolarization-activated single-channel conductance of 11-15 pS whose open probability was independent of voltage, whereas stellate reactive and stellate neonatal astrocytes exhibited two conductances, 11-15 pS and 24-27 pS. All three subtypes of astrocytes exhibited a hyperpolarization-activated macroscopic inward K(+) current that was strongly rectifying and was abrogated by 1 mM intracellular Mg(2+) introduced during conventional but not perforated patch whole-cell recording. This Mg(2+)-sensitive current comprised the total inward rectifier current in polygonal reactive astrocytes, but only a fraction of the inward rectifier current in stellate reactive and stellate neonatal astrocytes. Because a strongly rectifying, inward rectifier K(+) channel with a single-channel conductance of 11-15 pS that is voltage independent is consistent with features of Kir2.3 (IRK3), we performed immunofluorescence experiments with anti-Kir2.3 and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein antibodies. Both antibodies co-localized to all three subtypes of astrocytes in primary culture and to reactive astrocytes in situ within brain and gelatin sponge implants. Our data indicate that astrocytes of both polygonal and stellate morphology, from both adult and neonatal rat brain, express Kir2.3 both in vivo and in vitro. Constitutive expression of Kir2.3 regardless of cell morphology or age of origin of the source tissue suggests an important functional role for this channel in astrocytes.

Age Factors↗

PSD-95 assembles a ternary complex with the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor and a bivalent neuronal NO synthase PDZ domain.

Nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis in cerebellum is preferentially activated by calcium influx through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors, suggesting that there is a specific link between these receptors and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS). Here, we find that PSD-95 assembles a postsynaptic protein complex containing nNOS and NMDA receptors. Formation of this complex is mediated by the PDZ domains of PSD-95, which bind to the COOH termini of specific NMDA receptor subunits. In contrast, nNOS is recruited to this complex by a novel PDZ-PDZ interaction in which PSD-95 recognizes an internal motif adjacent to the consensus nNOS PDZ domain. This internal motif is a structured "pseudo-peptide" extension of the nNOS PDZ that interacts with the peptide-binding pocket of PSD-95 PDZ2. This asymmetric interaction leaves the peptide-binding pocket of the nNOS PDZ domain available to interact with additional COOH-terminal PDZ ligands. Accordingly, we find that the nNOS PDZ domain can bind PSD-95 PDZ2 and a COOH-terminal peptide simultaneously. This bivalent nature of the nNOS PDZ domain further expands the scope for assembly of protein networks by PDZ domains.

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Identification of an intramolecular interaction between the SH3 and guanylate kinase domains of PSD-95.

Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95/SAP-90) is a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family of proteins that assemble protein complexes at synapses and other cell junctions. MAGUKs comprise multiple protein-protein interaction motifs including PDZ, SH3 and guanylate kinase (GK) domains, and these binding sites mediate the scaffolding function of MAGUK proteins. Synaptic binding partners for the PDZ and GK domains of PSD-95 have been identified, but the role of the SH3 domain remains elusive. We now report that the SH3 domain of PSD-95 mediates a specific interaction with the GK domain. The GK domain lacks a poly-proline motif that typically binds to SH3 domains; instead, SH3/GK binding is a bi-domain interaction that requires both intact motifs. Although isolated SH3 and GK domains can bind in trans, experiments with intact PSD-95 molecules indicate that intramolecular SH3/GK binding dominates and prevents intermolecular associations. SH3/GK binding is conserved in the related Drosophila MAGUK protein DLG but is not detectable for Caenorhabditis elegans LIN-2. Many previously identified genetic mutations of MAGUKs in invertebrates occur in the SH3 or GK domains, and all of these mutations disrupt intramolecular SH3/GK binding.

Binding Sites↗

Characterization of MALS/Velis-1, -2, and -3: a family of mammalian LIN-7 homologs enriched at brain synapses in association with the postsynaptic density-95/NMDA receptor postsynaptic complex.

Protein assembly at the postsynaptic density (PSD) of neuronal synapses is mediated in part by protein interactions with PSD-95/discs large/zona occludens-1 (PDZ) motifs. Here, we identify MALS-1, -2, -3, a family of small synaptic proteins containing little more than a single PDZ domain. MALS-1, -2, and -3 are mammalian homologs LIN-7, a Caenorhabditis elegans protein essential for vulval development. In contrast to functions for LIN-7 in epithelial cells, MALS-1 and -2 are selectively expressed in specific neuronal populations in brain and are enriched in PSD fractions. In cultured hippocampal neurons, MALS proteins are clustered together with PSD-95 and NMDA type glutamate receptors, consistent with a postsynaptic localization for MALS proteins. Immunoprecipitation and affinity chromatography studies readily identify association of MALS with PSD-95 and an NMDA receptor subunit. The PDZ domain of MALS selectively binds to peptides terminating in E-T/S-R/X-V/I/L, which corresponds to the C terminus of NMDA type 2 receptors and numerous other ion channels at the PSD. This work suggests a role for MALS proteins in regulating recruitment of neurotransmitter receptors to the PSD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Postsynaptic density-93 interacts with the delta2 glutamate receptor subunit at parallel fiber synapses.

The glutamate receptor subunit delta2 has a unique distribution at the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse of the cerebellum, which is developmentally regulated such that delta2 occurs at both parallel fiber synapses and climbing fiber synapses early in development but is restricted to parallel fiber synapses in adult animals. To identify proteins that might be involved in the trafficking or docking of delta2 receptors, we screened a yeast two-hybrid library with the cytosolic C terminus of delta2 and isolated a member of the postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 family of proteins, which are known to interact with the extreme C termini of NMDA receptors. We find that delta2 binds specifically to PSD-93, which is enriched in Purkinje cells. In addition, PSD-93 clusters delta2 when they are coexpressed in heterologous cells, and clustering is disrupted by point mutations of delta2 that disrupt the delta2-PSD-93 interaction. Ultrastructural localization of PSD-93 and delta2 shows they are colocalized at parallel fiber synapses; however, PSD-93 also is present at climbing fiber synapses of the adult rat, where delta2 is not found, indicating that the presence of PSD-93 alone is not sufficient for determining the synaptic expression of delta2.

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Unexpected modes of PDZ domain scaffolding revealed by structure of nNOS-syntrophin complex.

The PDZ protein interaction domain of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) can heterodimerize with the PDZ domains of postsynaptic density protein 95 and syntrophin through interactions that are not mediated by recognition of a typical carboxyl-terminal motif. The nNOS-syntrophin PDZ complex structure revealed that the domains interact in an unusual linear head-to-tail arrangement. The nNOS PDZ domain has two opposite interaction surfaces-one face has the canonical peptide binding groove, whereas the other has a beta-hairpin "finger." This nNOS beta finger docks in the syntrophin peptide binding groove, mimicking a peptide ligand, except that a sharp beta turn replaces the normally required carboxyl terminus. This structure explains how PDZ domains can participate in diverse interaction modes to assemble protein networks.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase and phosphofructokinase-M.

Neurons that express neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) are resistant to NO-induced neurotoxicity; however, the mechanism by which these neurons are protected is not clear. To identify proteins possibly involved in this process, we performed affinity chromatography with the nNOS PDZ domain, a N-terminal motif that mediates protein interactions. Using this method to fractionate soluble tissue extracts, we identified the muscle isoform of phosphofructokinase (PFK-M) as a protein that binds to nNOS both in brain and skeletal muscle. PFK-M interacts with the PDZ domain of nNOS, and nNOS-PFK-M binding can be competed by peptides that bind to the PDZ domain of nNOS. We found that nNOS is significantly associated with PFK-M in skeletal muscle because nNOS can be immunodepleted from cytosolic skeletal muscle extracts using an antibody directed against PFK-M. In brain, nNOS and PFK-M are both enriched in synaptosomes, and specifically, in the synaptic vesicle fraction, where they can interact. At the cellular level, PFK-M is enriched in neurons that express nNOS protein. As fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate, the product of PFK activity, is neuroprotective, the interaction of nNOS and PFK may contribute to neuroprotection of nNOS positive cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nitric oxide synthase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.

NO. is a free radical that modulates heart function and metabolism. We report that a neuronal-type NO synthase (NOS) is located on cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane vesicles and that endogenous NO. produced by SR-associated NOS inhibits SR Ca2+ uptake. Ca2+-dependent biochemical conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline was observed from isolated rabbit cardiac SR vesicles in the presence of NOS substrates and cofactors. Endogenous NO. was generated from the vesicles and detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping measurements. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated labeling of cardiac SR vesicles by using anti-neuronal NOS (nNOS), but not anti-endothelial NOS (eNOS) or anti-inducible NOS (iNOS) antibodies, whereas skeletal muscle SR vesicles had no nNOS immunoreactivity. The nNOS immunoreactivity also displayed a pattern consistent with SR localization in confocal micrographs of sections of human myocardium. Western blotting demonstrated that cardiac SR NOS is larger than brain NOS (160 vs. 155 kDa). No immunodetection was observed in cardiac SR vesicles from nNOS knockout mice or with an anti-nNOS mu antibody, suggesting the possibility of a new nNOS-type isoform. 45Ca uptake by cardiac SR vesicles, catalyzed by Ca2+-ATPase, was inhibited by NO. produced endogenously from cardiac SR NOS, and 7-nitroindazole, a selective nNOS inhibitor, completely prevented this inhibition. These results suggest that a cardiac muscle nNOS isoform is located on SR of cardiac myocytes, where it may respond to intracellular Ca2+ concentration and modulate SR Ca2+ ion active transport in the heart.

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Synaptic targeting of the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 mediated by lipid and protein motifs.

During synaptic development, proteins aggregate at specialized pre- and postsynaptic structures. Mechanisms that mediate protein clustering at these sites remain unknown. To investigate this process, we analyzed synaptic targeting of a postsynaptic density protein, PSD-95, by expressing green fluorescent protein- (GFP-) tagged PSD-95 in cultured hippocampal neurons. We find that postsynaptic clustering relies on three elements of PSD-95: N-terminal palmitoylation, the first two PDZ domains, and a C-terminal targeting motif. In contrast, disruptions of PDZ3, SH3, or guanylate kinase (GK) domains do not affect synaptic targeting. Palmitoylation is sufficient to target the diffusely expressed SAP-97 to synapses, and palmitoylation cannot be replaced with alternative membrane association motifs, suggesting that a specialized synaptic lipid environment mediates postsynaptic clustering. The requirements for PDZ domains and a C-terminal domain of PSD-95 indicate that protein-protein interactions cooperate with lipid interactions in synaptic targeting.

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Cypin: a cytosolic regulator of PSD-95 postsynaptic targeting.

Postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95/SAP-90) is a membrane associated guanylate kinase (GK) PDZ protein that scaffolds glutamate receptors and associated signaling networks at excitatory synapses. Affinity chromatography identifies cypin as a major PSD-95-binding protein in brain extracts. Cypin is homologous to a family of hydrolytic bacterial enzymes and shares some similarity with collapsin response mediator protein (CRMP), a cytoplasmic mediator of semaphorin III signalling. Cypin is discretely expressed in neurons and is polarized to basal membranes in intestinal epithelial cells. Overexpression of cypin in hippocampal neurons specifically perturbs postsynaptic trafficking of PSD-95 and SAP-102, an effect not produced by overexpression of other PDZ ligands. In fact, PSD-95 can induce postsynaptic clustering of an otherwise diffusely localized K+ channel, Kv1.4. By regulating postsynaptic protein sorting, cypin may influence synaptic development and plasticity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Distribution of postsynaptic density proteins in rat kidney: relationship to neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

BACKGROUND: Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is expressed in skeletal muscle beneath the sarcolemma associated with dystrophin complex. In brain, nNOS is anchored to synaptic membranes by specific postsynaptic density proteins (PSD)-95 and PSD-93. We have investigated the cellular and subcellular localization of these PSD proteins in the kidney and their relationship to nNOS and the cell membrane. METHODS: Kidneys from male Sprague-Dawley rats were processed for light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry with polyclonal antibodies against PSD and nNOS proteins. RESULTS: Western blot analysis of rat kidney revealed a specific band for PSD-93 at the molecular weight of 103 kDa. Immunostaining for PSD-93 was located in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, macula densa cells, distal convoluted tubules, cortical collecting ducts, outer and inner medullary collecting duct, glomerular epithelium, and Bowman's capsule. A pre-embedding electron microscopic immunoperoxidase procedure localized PSD-93 to the basolateral membrane of these tubular cells. Using different sized immunogold particles, a portion of nNOS in the macula densa colocalized with PSD-93 adjacent to cytoplasmic vesicles and the basolateral membrane. In contrast, PSD-95 protein was detected only weakly in the cortex by Western blot. Immunostaining for PSD-95 was located only faintly in the apical membrane of the thick ascending limb, macula densa, distal convoluted tubule and cortical collecting duct cells. CONCLUSION: PSD-93 is the predominant PSD expressed in the rat kidney. It is located primarily in the basolateral membranes of distal nephron and colocalizes with a pool of nNOS in cytoplasmic vesicles and basolateral membranes of macula densa cells.

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Endogenous nitric oxide synthesis: biological functions and pathophysiology.

Modern molecular biology has revealed vast numbers of large and complex proteins and genes that regulate body function. By contrast, discoveries over the past ten years indicate that crucial features of neuronal communication, blood vessel modulation and immune response are mediated by a remarkably simple chemical, nitric oxide (NO). Endogenous NO is generated from arginine by a family of three distinct calmodulin- dependent NO synthase (NOS) enzymes. NOS from endothelial cells (eNOS) and neurons (nNOS) are both constitutively expressed enzymes, whose activities are stimulated by increases in intracellular calcium. Immune functions for NO are mediated by a calcium-independent inducible NOS (iNOS). Expression of iNOS protein requires transcriptional activation, which is mediated by specific combinations of cytokines. All three NOS use NADPH as an electron donor and employ five enzyme cofactors to catalyze a five-electron oxidation of arginine to NO with stoichiometric formation of citrulline. The highest levels of NO throughout the body are found in neurons, where NO functions as a unique messenger molecule. In the autonomic nervous system NO functions NO functions as a major non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) neurotransmitter. This NANC pathway plays a particularly important role in producing relaxation of smooth muscle in the cerebral circulation and the gastrointestinal, urogenital and respiratory tracts. Dysregulation of NOS activity in autonomic nerves plays a major role in diverse pathophysiological conditions including migraine headache, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and male impotence. In the brain, NO functions as a neuromodulator and appears to mediate aspects of learning and memory. Although endogenous NO was originally appreciated as a mediator of smooth muscle relaxation, NO also plays a major role in skeletal muscle. Physiologically muscle-derived NO regulates skeletal muscle contractility and exercise-induced glucose uptake. nNOS occurs at the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle which facilitates diffusion of NO to the vasculature to regulate muscle perfusion. nNOS protein occurs in the dystrophin complex in skeletal muscle and NO may therefore participate in the pathophysiology of muscular dystrophy. NO signalling in excitable tissues requires rapid and controlled delivery of NO to specific cellular targets. This tight control of NO signalling is largely regulated at the level of NO biosynthesis. Acute control of nNOS activity is mediated by allosteric enzyme regulation, by posttranslational modification and by subcellular targeting of the enzyme. nNOS protein levels are also dynamically regulated by changes in gene transcription, and this affords long-lasting changes in tissue NO levels. While NO normally functions as a physiological neuronal mediator, excess production of NO mediates brain injury. Overactivation of glutamate receptors associated with cerebral ischemia and other excitotoxic processes results in massive release of NO. As a free radical, NO is inherently reactive and mediates cellular toxicity by damaging critical metabolic enzymes and by reacting with superoxide to form an even more potent oxidant, peroxynitrite. Through these mechanisms, NO appears to play a major role in the pathophysiology of stroke, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

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The N-terminal PDZ-containing region of postsynaptic density-95 mediates association with caveolar-like lipid domains.

Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) is a palmitoylated peripheral membrane PDZ protein that organizes signaling molecules at synaptic sites. Here we find the amino terminal region of PSD-95, containing the three PDZ domains is necessary and sufficient to localize PSD-95 to caveolar-like domains. In transfected COS cells, a subpopulation of PSD-95 is buoyant in sucrose gradients, and co-migrates with caveolin, a marker for caveolar domains. Sucrose gradient separation of brain extracts showed that some neuronal PSD-95 protein is present in buoyant fractions as well. Analysis of truncated forms of the PSD-95 indicated that the N-terminal PDZ-containing region localizes to caveolae, but the C-terminal region, containing the SH3 and the guanylate kinase domains does not. The mechanism by which the N-terminal region targets PSD-95 to buoyant lipid domains remains unknown. PSD-95 does not interact with caveolin and palmitoylation of PSD-95 is not required for caveolar fractionation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunocytochemical localization of the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 in the mammalian retina.

Synapse-associated proteins are the scaffold for the selective aggregation of ion channels at synapses; they provide the link to cytoskeletal elements and possibly are involved with the regulation of synaptic efficacy by electrical activity. The localization of the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 was studied in different mammalian retinae (rat, monkey, and tree shrew) by using immunocytochemical methods. Immunofluorescence for PSD-95 was most prominent in the outer plexiform layer (OPL). The axon terminals of rods and cones, the rod spherules and cone pedicles, were strongly labeled. Electron microscopy, using preembedding immunocytochemistry, showed PSD-95 localized presynaptically within the photoreceptor terminals. Distinct PSD-95 labeling was also present in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). It had a punctate appearance suggesting the synaptic clustering of PSD-95 in the IPL. Electron microscopy showed that PSD-95 was concentrated in processes that were postsynaptic at bipolar cell ribbon synapses (dyads). As a rule, only one of the two postsynaptic members of the dyad was labeled for PSD-95. Double-labeling experiments were performed for PSD-95 and for SAP 102 or PSD-93, respectively, two other members of the family of synapse-associated proteins. All three were found to be colocalized in the synaptic hot spots in the IPL. In the OPL, however, PSD-95 and PSD-93 were found presynaptically, whereas SAP 102 was located postsynaptically at photoreceptor synapses. Double-labeling experiments also were performed for PSD-95 and for the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor. They were found to be colocalized in synaptic hot spots in the IPL.

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Localization of postsynaptic density-93 to dendritic microtubules and interaction with microtubule-associated protein 1A.

Postsynaptic density-93 (PSD-93)/Chapsyn-110 is a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family of PDZ domain-containing proteins. MAGUKs are widely expressed in the brain and are critical elements of the cytoskeleton and of certain synapses. In the ultrastructural studies that are described here, PSD-93 localizes to both postsynaptic densities and dendritic microtubules of cerebellar Purkinje neurons. The microtubule localization is paralleled by a high-affinity in vivo interaction of PSD-93 via its guanylate kinase (GK) domain with microtubule-associated protein 1A (MAP1A). GK domain truncations that mimic genetically identified mutations of a Drosophila MAGUK, discs-large, disrupt the GK/MAP-1A interaction. Additional biochemical experiments demonstrate that intact MAGUKs do not bind to MAP1A as effectively as do isolated GK domains. This appears to be attributable to an intramolecular inhibition of the GK domain by the PDZs, because GK binding activity of full-length MAGUKs is partially restored by a variety of PDZ ligands, including the C termini of NMDA receptor 2B, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), and CRIPT. Beyond demonstrating a novel cytoskeletal link for PSD-93, these experiments support a model in which intramolecular interactions between the multiple domains of MAGUKs regulate intermolecular associations and thereby may play a role in the proper targeting and function of MAGUK proteins.

Animals↗