PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Syntaxin 1”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Analyses of proteins involved in vesicular trafficking in platelets of mouse models of Hermansky Pudlak syndrome.

Hermansky Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterized by defects in synthesis and/or secretion of three related subcellular organelles: melanosomes, platelet-dense granules, and lysosomes. In the mouse, mutant forms of any of 14 separate genes result in an HPS-like phenotype. The mouse pearl and mocha genes encode subunits of the AP3 adaptor protein complex, confirming that HPS mutations involve proteins regulating intracellular vesicular trafficking. Therefore, expression of several additional proteins involved in vesicular transport was examined by immunoblotting of platelet extracts from HPS mutant and control mice. Platelet levels of SCAMPS (secretory carrier membrane proteins), Rab11, Rab31, NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein), syntaxin 2, syntaxin 4, munc18c, and p115/TAP (p115/transcytosis-associated protein) were not significantly altered in several different HPS mutants. However, gunmetal (gm/gm) platelets contained decreased amounts of SNAP-23. The Snap23 gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 5, demonstrating it cannot encode the gm gene, which maps to chromosome 14. It is likely therefore that the gm gene functions upstream of SNAP-23 in vesicular trafficking.

Albinism, Oculocutaneous↗

Expression of proteins linked to exocytosis and neurotransmission in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

In order to characterize synaptic involvement in human spongiform encephalopathies, the expression of synaptic vesicle-associated proteins, synaptophysin and synapsin-I, and presynaptic plasma membrane proteins, synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and syntaxin-I, was examined in the brains of four patients who had suffered from sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Nerve cell loss, spongiform degeneration, astrocytosis, and deposition of prion protein (PrP) were observed in the cerebral cortex in every case. Decreased immunoreactivity for synaptophysin, synapsin-I, SNAP-25, and syntaxin-I was observed in the cerebral cortex in every case, thus showing generalized reduction of proteins involved in exocytosis of synaptic vesicles in the brains of patients with spongiform encephalopathy. Upregulation of synaptophysin and SNAP-25, a feature associated with beta A4 deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD), was not observed in associated with PrP deposition. The present results indicate that synaptic pathology is a major event in spongiform encephalopathy, and suggest that synaptic loss, together with neuron loss and selective involvement of certain populations of local-circuit neurons, as shown in other studies, may account for the dramatic neurological decay and for the main neurological symptoms in patients with CJD.

Aged↗

The role of SNARE proteins in trafficking and function of neurotransmitter transporters.

The SNARE hypothesis of vesicle fusion proposes that a series of protein-protein interactions governs the delivery of vesicles to various membrane targets such as the Golgi network and the plasma membrane. Key players in this process include members of the syntaxin family of membrane proteins. The first member identified in this family, syntaxin 1A, plays an essential role in the docking and fusion of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles to the presynaptic membrane of neurons. Syntaxin 1A and other syntaxin family members have also been shown to interact with, and directly regulate, a variety of ion channels. More recently, the family of plasma membrane neurotransmitter transporters, proteins that function in part to control transmitter levels in brain, have been shown to be direct targets of syntaxin 1A regulation. This regulation involves both the trafficking of transporters as well as the control of ion and transmitter flux through transporters. In this chapter, the functional effects of syntaxin-transporter interactions are reviewed, and how such interactions may regulate neuronal signaling are considered.

Animals↗

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of the HPC-1 antigen in rat cerebellum.

HPC-1 antigen is a neuron-specific 34 kDa protein, identical to p35A (syntaxin), and is thought to play important roles in docking or fusion of synaptic vesicles to presynaptic active zones. In the present study we analyze the distribution of HPC-1 antigen in rat cerebellum by a cryoimmunogold technique using an antibody against the fusion protein of beta-galactosidase and the HPC-1 antigen. HPC-1 antigen was detected at high density on the plasma membranes and synaptic vesicles of presynaptic boutons which formed synapses with dendrites of Purkinje cells, and on the plasma membranes of parallel fibres in the cerebellar molecular layer. In the granule cell layer, gold particles were also detected on the endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membranes and the plasma membranes of granule cells. Presynaptic membranes and synaptic vesicles in glomeruli were also labelled by gold particles. To determine the topology of HPC-1 antigen on the membranes, the synaptosome fraction prepared from rat cerebellum was embedded in agarose, and processed for the pre-embedding protein A-gold technique. Intact synaptosomes were not labelled by gold particles. However, when fixed in hypotonic fixative to rupture plasma membranes, or when ruptured after fixation in normotonic fixative, the cytoplasmic surfaces of presynaptic membranes and synaptic vesicles were labelled by gold particles. These results suggest that most of the epitopes of HPC-1 antigen are located on the cytoplasmic surface of plasma membranes and synaptic vesicle membranes.

Animals↗

Differential expression of syntaxin-1 and synaptophysin in the developing and adult human retina.

Synaptophysin and syntaxin-1 are membrane proteins that associate with synaptic vesicles and presynaptic active zones at nerve endings, respectively. The former is known to be a good marker of synaptogenesis; this aspect, however, is not clear with syntaxin-1. In this study, the expression of both proteins was examined in the developing human retina and compared with their distribution in postnatal to adult retinas, by immunohistochemistry. In the inner plexiform layer, both were expressed simultaneously at 11-12 weeks of gestation, when synaptogenesis reportedly begins in the central retina. In the outer plexiform layer, however, the immunoreactivities were prominent by 16 weeks of gestation. Their expression in both plexiform layers followed a centre-to-periphery gradient. The immunoreactivities for both proteins were found in the immature photoreceptor, amacrine and ganglion cells; however, synaptophysin was differentially localized in bipolar cells and their axons, and syntaxin was present in some horizontal cells. In postnatal-to-adult retinas, synaptophysin immunoreactivity was prominent in photo-receptor terminals lying in the outer plexiform layer; on the contrary, syntaxin-1 was present in a thin immunoreactive band in this layer. In the inner plexiform layer, however, both were homogeneously distributed. Our study suggests that (i) syntaxin-1 appears in parallel with synapse formation; (ii) synaptogenesis in the human retina might follow a centre-to-periphery gradient; (iii) syntaxin-1 is likely to be absent from ribbon synapses of the outer plexiform layer, but may occur at presynaptic terminals of photoreceptor and horizontal cells, as is apparent from its localization in these cells, which is hitherto unreported for any vertebrate retina.

Adult↗

Cloning and identification of human syntaxin 5 as a synaptobrevin/VAMP binding protein.

Syntaxins are transmembrane proteins that function in regulating transport vesicle docking and fusion with target membranes in neuronal and nonneuronal cells. Vesicle docking is thought to be regulated in part by the specific interactions of syntaxin with a vesicle-associated membrane protein termed synaptobrevin/VAMP. We have cloned a 1557-bp cDNA that encodes the human syntaxin 5 isoform, using a combination of PCR and colony-screening methods. The deduced 301 amino-acid sequence of human syntaxin 5 shares 96% identity with rat syntaxin 5. Like rat syntaxin 1A, human syntaxin 5 binds to synaptobrevin/VAMP in vitro. The identification of human syntaxin 5 as a synaptobrevin/VAMP-binding protein supports the hypothesis that syntaxin 5 regulates protein transport by binding to vesicle-associated membrane proteins.

Animals↗

Characterization of HPC-1 antigen, an isoform of syntaxin-1, with the isoform-specific monoclonal antibody, 14D8.

We raised polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against rat recombinant HPC-1/syntaxin 1A lacking a transmembrane domain. The polyclonal antibody recognized two major bands at 35 and 40 kDa from rat brain membranes. A hybridoma clone designated 14D8, however, recognized only one band at 35 kDa. A polyclonal antibody detected recombinant syntaxin 1B, as well as HPC-1/syntaxin 1A on an immunoblot, whereas 14D8 recognized recombinant HPC-1/ syntaxin 1A, but not syntaxin 1B. Therefore, 14D8 is specific for HPC-1/syntaxin 1A. Using this monoclonal antibody, we investigated the expression of HPC-1/syntaxin 1A in the rat hippocampal membranes. HPC-1/syntaxin 1A was present even in the embryonic d 19 (E19) hippocampal membranes, and it increased during the next two postnatal wk. Pyramidal cell axons were intensely stained with the 14D8 monoclonal antibody, suggesting that HPC-1/syntaxin 1A was not restricted to the presynaptic terminal. Furthermore, we investigated the phosphorylation of HPC-1/syntaxin 1A in the rat brain membranes. HPC-1/syntaxin 1A affinity-purified on a 14D8 IgG-coupled column was recognized by antiphosphoserine antibody, but not by antiphosphotyrosine and phosphothreonine antibodies.

Animals↗

Syntaxin-3 and syntaxin-1A inhibit L-type calcium channel activity, insulin biosynthesis and exocytosis in beta-cell lines.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Syntaxin-1A (Syn-1A) is known to play a negative regulatory role in insulin secretion but the precise mechanisms for its action are not clear. Syn-2, -3 and -4 are also present in islet beta cells but their functions are not known. Here, we investigated the role of these syntaxins in the insulin secretory process. METHODS: We examined the following effects of Syn-1, -2, -3 and -4 expression in insulinoma beta-cell lines. Endogenous insulin secretion was measured by batch radioimmunoassay (RIA) and single cell patch clamp capacitance measurements. The L-type Ca(2+) channel activity was studied by patch clamp electrophysiology. Insulin gene transcription was examined by Northern blotting and measurement of insulin gene promoter activity by the co-expression of cyan fluorescent protein-labelled rat insulin promoter. RESULTS: Syn-1A or -3, but not Syn-2 or -4 overexpression, inhibited K(+)-induced insulin release as determined by RIA (49.7 +/- 5.5 % and 49.1 +/- 6.2 %, respectively) and electrophysiologic membrane capacitance measurements (68.0 +/- 21.0 % and 58.0 +/- 13.2 %, respectively). Overexpressed Syn-1A and -3, but not Syn-2, inhibited Ca(2+) channel current amplitude by 39.5 +/- 11.6 % and 52.7 +/- 6.0 %, respectively. Of note, overexpression of Syn-1A and -3 also reduced single cell (by confocal microscopy) and total cellular endogenous insulin content (by RIA) by 24.8 +/- 4.2 % and 31.8 +/- 3.9 %, respectively. This correlated to a reduction in endogenous insulin mRNA by 24.5 +/- 4.2 % and 25.7 +/- 4.2 %, respectively. This inhibition of insulin biosynthesis is mainly at the level of insulin gene transcription as demonstrated by an inhibition of insulin gene promoter activity (53.3 +/- 9.15 % and 39.0 +/- 6.8 %, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results demonstrate that Syn-1A and -3 possess strong inhibitory actions on both insulin exocytosis and insulin biosynthesis whereas Syn-2 and -4 do not inhibit the insulin secretory process.

Animals↗

Correlation of syntaxin-1 and SNAP-25 clusters with docking and fusion of insulin granules analysed by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The interaction of syntaxin-1 and SNAP-25 with insulin exocytosis was examined using the diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat and a total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) imaging system. METHODS: Primary rat pancreatic beta cells were immunostained with anti-syntaxin-1A, anti-SNAP-25 and anti-insulin antibodies, and then observed by TIRF microscopy. The real-time image of GFP-labelled insulin granules motion was monitored by TIRF. RESULTS: The number of syntaxin-1A and SNAP-25 clusters, and the number of docked insulin granules on the plasma membrane were reduced in GK beta cells. When GK rats were treated with daily insulin injection for 2 weeks, the number of syntaxin-1 and SNAP-25 clusters was restored, along with the number of docked insulin granules. The infection of GK beta cells with Adex1CA SNAP-25 increased the number of docked insulin granules. TIRF imaging analysis demonstrated that the decreased number of fusion events from previously docked insulin granules in GK beta cells was restored when the number of docked insulin granules increased by insulin treatment or Adex1CA SNAP-25 infection. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: There was a close correlation between the number of syntaxin-1 and SNAP-25 clusters and the number of docked insulin granules, which is associated with the fusion of insulin granules.

Animals↗

Single nucleotide polymorphism (D68D, T to C) in the syntaxin 1A gene correlates to age at onset and insulin requirement in Type II diabetic patients.

AIM/HYPOTHESIS: Syntaxin 1A is a candidate gene for Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, because it plays an important role in insulin secretion from the islet beta cells. We aimed to scan this gene for mutations or genetic markers that correlate with Type II diabetes. METHODS: We identified and characterized coding exons of the syntaxin 1A gene and scanned the newly identified 10 exons using direct sequencing. RESULTS: In the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of exon 3 (D68D, T to C) among three newly identified SNPs, genotype frequency of the homozygote of C allele (CC) occurred more frequently in a Type II diabetic group than in a non-diabetic group (16.48 %, n = 182, vs 11.05 %, n = 181, p = 0.0499). Among the diabetic patients, age of onset in patients with CC genotype was lower than that in patients with the TT and TC genotypes [40.10 +/- 1.50 years old (means +/- SEM) vs 44.20 +/- 0.58, p = 0.005]. Patients with the CC genotype had a higher frequency of insulin treatment (78.30 % vs 46.80 %, p = 0.006) with a duration equal to, or longer than, 10 years. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that the genotype was significantly and independently associated with age at onset and mode of treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: These data indicate that the SNP in the syntaxin 1A gene (D68D, T to C) correlates to the age of onset and insulin requirements of Type II diabetic Japanese patients.

Age of Onset↗

Syntaxin is efficiently excluded from sphingomyelin-enriched domains in supported lipid bilayers containing cholesterol.

Formation of a trans-complex between the three SNARE proteins syntaxin, synaptobrevin and SNAP-25 drives membrane fusion. The structure of the core SNARE complex has been studied extensively. Here we have used atomic force microscopy to study the behavior of recombinant syntaxin 1A both in detergent extracts and in a lipid environment. Full-length syntaxin in detergent extracts had a marked tendency to aggregate, which was countered by addition of munc-18. In contrast, syntaxin lacking its transmembrane region was predominantly monomeric. Syntaxin could be integrated into liposomes, which formed lipid bilayers when deposited on a mica support. Supported bilayers were decorated with lipid vesicles in the presence, but not the absence, of full-length syntaxin, indicating that formation of syntaxin complexes in trans could mediate vesicle docking. Syntaxin complexes remained at the sites of docking following detergent solubilization of the lipids. Raised lipid domains could be seen in bilayers containing sphingomyelin, and these domains were devoid of syntaxin and docked vesicles in the presence, but not the absence, of cholesterol. Our results demonstrate that syntaxin is excluded from sphingomyelin-enriched domains in a cholesterol-dependent manner.

Animals↗

Abnormal synaptic protein expression and cell death in murine scrapie.

Reduced expression of synaptophysin p38, synaptic-associated protein of molecular weight 25,000 (SNAP-25), syntaxin-1, synapsin-1, and alpha- and beta-synuclein, matching the distribution of spongiform degeneration, was found in the neurological phase of scrapie-infected mice. In addition, synaptophysin and SNAP-25 were accumulated in isolated neurons, mainly in the thalamus, midbrain and pons, and granular deposits of alpha- and beta-synuclein were present in the neuropil of the same areas. No modifications in the steady state levels of Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and Fas ligand were observed following infection. Yet antibodies against the c-Jun N-terminal peptide, which cross-react with products emerging after caspase-mediate proteolysis, recognize coarse granular deposits in the cytoplasm of reactive microglia. In situ end-labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation showed positive nuclei with extreme chromatin condensation in the thalamus, pons, hippocampus and, in particular, the granular layer of the cerebellum. More importantly, expression of cleaved caspase-3, a major executioner of apoptosis, was seen in a few cells in the same regions, thus indicating that cell death by apoptosis in scrapie-infected mice is associated with caspase-3 activation. The present findings support the concept that synaptic pathology is a major substrate of neurological impairment and that caspase-3 activation may play a pivotal role in apoptosis in experimental scrapie. However, there is no correlation between decreased synaptic protein expression and caspase-3-associated apoptosis, which suggests that in addition to abnormal prion protein deposition, there may be other factors that distinctively influence synaptic vulnerability and cell death in murine scrapie.

Animals↗

Immunolocalization of the acid-sensing ion channel 2a in the rat cerebellum.

The acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are members of the DEG/ENaC superfamily of Na+ channels. Acid-gated cation currents have been detected in neurons from multiple regions of the brain including the cerebellum, but little is known about their molecular identity and function. Recently, one of ASICs (ASIC1a) was implicated in synaptic plasticity. In this study we examined the subcellular distribution of ASIC2a in rat cerebellum by immunostaining and confocal microscopy. Monoclonal antibodies for labeling of defined brain structures, for example, astroglia, Purkinje cell dendrites, nuclei, and presynaptic terminals were used for colocalization analyses. In the gray matter, the anti-ASIC2a antibody intensively stained dendrite branches of Purkinje cells evenly distributed throughout the entire molecular layer (ML). In the granule cell layer (GL), anti-ASIC2a antibody stained synaptic glomeruli. Neuronal localization of ASIC2a was confirmed by lack of co-staining with glial fibrillary acidic protein. Anti-ASIC2a staining in the ML colocalized with metabotropic glutamate receptor 1alpha (mGluR1alpha) in Purkinje cell dendrites and dendritic spines. Both proteins, mGluR1alpha and ASIC2a, were enriched in a crude synaptic membrane fraction prepared from cerebellum, suggesting synaptic expression of these proteins. Dual staining with anti-syntaxin 1A and anti-ASIC2a antibodies demonstrates characteristic complementary distribution of two proteins in both ML and GL. Because syntaxin 1A localized in presynaptic membranes and synaptic vesicles, complementary distribution with ASIC2a suggests postsynaptic localization of ASIC2a in these structures. This study shows specific localization of ASIC2a in both Purkinje and granule cell dendrites of the cerebellum and enrichment of ASIC2a in a crude cerebellar synaptic membrane fraction. The study is the first report of synaptic localization of ASIC2a in the CNS. The synaptic localization of ASIC2a in the cerebellum makes this channel a candidate for a role in motor coordination and learning.

Acid Sensing Ion Channels↗

Imaging plasma membrane proteins in large membrane patches of Xenopus oocytes.

We describe the preparation of a Xenopus oocyte plasma membrane patch attached to a cover-slip with its intracellular face exposed to the bath solution. The proteins attached to the plasma membrane were visualized by confocal microscopy after fluorescence labelling. Since cortical microfilament elements were detected in these plasma membrane preparations we termed the patches plasma membrane-cortex patches. The way these patches are formed and the low concentration of proteins needed for cytochemical detection make the membrane-cortex patches similar to electrophysiological membrane patches and therefore allow the cytochemical study of ion channels to be correlated with electrophysiological experiments. Furthermore, the described patch is similar to manually isolated plasma membranes used for biochemical analysis by sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Cytochemical analysis of membrane-cortex patches also enables the detection of the two-dimensional pattern of organization of membrane proteins (clustered or non-clustered forms). In addition, patch preparations enable cytochemical study of the relative localization of membrane proteins. The methodology enables integration of electrophysiological, biochemical and cytochemical studies of ion channels, giving a comprehensive perspective on ion channel function.

Actins↗

Role of snare proteins in CFTR and ENaC trafficking.

The apical membrane ion channels, CFTR and ENaC, undergo regulated trafficking as a means of controlling their plasma membrane density. This provides a mechanism for regulating the Cl and Na conductance properties of epithelial apical membranes, and thus the transepithelial ion transport rates. Physical and functional interactions between these channels and SNARE proteins, in particular syntaxin 1A (S1A), provide a mechanism for linking the known vesicle fusion machinery with this process. In this paper we summarize evidence indicating that the interaction of S1A with CFTR and ENaC reduces channel currents in a syntaxin-isoform-specific manner. The acute cAMP-regulated CFTR trafficking event, which is reported by an increase in membrane capacitance in response to cAMP, is also inhibited by exogenous S1A expression. We tagged both channels with flag epitopes on their extracellular surfaces to monitor their plasma membrane expression as a function of S1A co-expression. The data indicate that the reduction in current caused by S1A is associated with a marked decrease in the amount of CFTR or ENaC detected at the cell surface. These findings suggest that S1A inhibits ion channel insertion into the plasma membrane, either by disrupting the stoichiometry of SNARE protein associations that mediate channel trafficking, or by physically associating with the channels to prevent their insertion. These data link the SNARE machinery to the regulation of apical membrane ion channel density, and suggest that phosphorylation-dependent interactions of these channels with SNARE proteins may acutely regulate this process.

Cystic Fibrosis↗

Synaptotagmin I, synaptobrevin II, and syntaxin I are coexpressed in rat and gerbil pinealocytes.

Recent studies have shown that mammalian pinealocytes contain a compartment of synaptic-like microvesicles that may serve secretory functions; however, knowledge of the molecular composition of these microvesicles is still incomplete. Therefore, we have analyzed rat and gerbil pineal glands for the presence of synaptotagmin I, synaptobrevin I and II, syntaxin I, and synaptoporin (synaptophysin II) by immunoblot analyses and immunostaining of serial semithin sections. These proteins, which are components of the synaptic vesicle membrane or presynaptic plasmalemma, are thought to be essential for synaptic vesicle trafficking and exocytosis. Antibodies against synaptotagmin I, synaptobrevin II, and syntaxin I label pinealocytes (identified with an antiserum directed against synaptophysin I) in pineal glands of both species, the coexpression of the latter proteins being demonstrable at the single cell level. In contrast, pinealocytes are not or only weakly stained by the synaptoporin antibody. Immunoreactivity for synaptobrevin I is restricted to intrapineal nerve terminals, thus indicating a differential expression of synaptic vesicle protein isoforms within endocrine tissues. Immunogold staining has been performed in the gerbil pineal and reveals that synaptobrevin II and synaptotagmin I can be localized to the synaptic-like microvesicles that are concentrated in pinealocyte process terminals. Syntaxin immunoreactivity is associated with clear microvesicles and with the plasma membrane. Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that the synaptic-like microvesicles of pinealocytes can be considered as the endocrine equivalent of neuronal synaptic vesicles. Since pinealocytes of several mammalian species contain abundant clear microvesicles, the pinealocyte may serve as a paradigm for studies aimed at elucidating the biogenesis and functions of synaptic-like microvesicles in neuroendocrine cells.

Animals↗

Calpain sensitive regions in the N-terminal cytoplasmic domains of glycine transporters GlyT1A and GlyT1B.

Glycine transporters are members of the Na+/Cl- dependent transporter gene family and play crucial roles in regulating inhibitory as well as excitatory neurotransmission. In this report we show that calcium elevation in spinal cord synaptosomes decreases the levels of glycine transporter, GlyT1, N-terminal immunoreactivity, and that this decrease can be blocked by calpain inhibitor. Sequencing of GST fusion proteins containing the N-terminal domains of GlyT1A and B splice variants cleaved with rat recombinant calpain identified calpain cleavage sites after glycine 17 in GlyT1B and N-terminally of the first conserved arginine residue in both GlyT1A and GlyT1B. Expression in HEK293 cells revealed that truncation of the N-terminus of GlyT1 results in significant inhibition of glycine uptake. A syntaxin1A GST fusion protein was able to pull-down N-terminally deleted GlyT1, indicating that calpain cleavage does not eliminate syntaxin1A binding. These results suggest that calpain cleavage may regulate the transport activity/turnover of GlyT1 in vivo by cleaving its N-terminal domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neuron-specific antigen HPC-1 from bovine brain reveals strong homology to epimorphin, an essential factor involved in epithelial morphogenesis: identification of a novel protein family.

We have already cloned the cDNA for the HPC-1 antigen, a neuron-specific protein antigen from the rat brain. Here we report the molecular cloning of the bovine HPC-1 antigen homologue, and much strong sequence conservation between rat and bovine. By searching the recent protein data base, it was found that the HPC-1 antigen revealed unusual similarity to epimorphin which was mesenchymal factor related to the morphogenesis of primitive epidermal tissues in embryonic stages. We also found that the HPC-1 antigen was identical to p35A (syntaxin) which bound both to a synaptic vesicle protein and to N-type calcium channel. Although the relationship of the physiological functions, structures and topologies along cellular membrane between the HPC-1 antigen and epimorphin have not been consistent yet, these two proteins belong to a novel protein family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗