SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Protein Isoforms”

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 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Two rat surfactant protein A isoforms arise by a novel mechanism that includes alternative translation initiation.

A single gene for rat surfactant protein A (SP-A) encodes two isoforms that are distinguished by an isoleucine-lysine-cysteine (IKC) N-terminal extension (SP-A and IKC-SP-A). Available evidence suggests that the variants are generated by alternative signal peptidase cleavage of the nascent polypeptide at a primary site (Cys(-)(1)-Asn(1)) and a secondary site (Gly(-)(4)-Ile(-)(3)). In this study, we used site-directed mutagenesis and heterologous expression in vitro and in insect cells to the examine mechanisms that may lead to alternative signal peptidase cleavage including alternative translation initiation at two in-frame AUGs (Met(-)(30) and Met(-)(20)), a suboptimal context for hydrolysis at the primary cleavage site, or cotranslational protein modifications that expose an otherwise cryptic secondary cleavage site. In vitro translation of a rat cDNA for SP-A resulted in both 28 and 29 kDa primary translation products on SDS-PAGE analysis, while translation of cDNAs encoding Met-30Ala and Met-20Ala mutations resulted in only the single 28 and 29 kDa molecular mass species, respectively. These data are consistent with translation initiation at both Met(-)(30) and Met(-)(20) during in vitro synthesis of SP-A. The Met-30Ala mutation reduced expression of the longer isoform in insect cells, indicating that the Met(-)(30) site also contributes to eucaryotic protein expression. Forcing translation initiation at Met(-)(30) by optimizing the Kozak consensus sequence surrounding that codon or by mutating the Met(-)(20) codon resulted in preferential expression of the longer SP-A isoform but reduced overall expression of the protein almost 10-fold. Both isoforms were generated to some degree whether translation was initiated at the codon for Met(-)(30) or Met(-)(20), indicating that the site of translation initiation is not the sole determinant of isoform generation and suggesting that either the context of the primary cleavage site is suboptimal or that cotranslational modifications affect cleavage. Preventing N-terminal glycosylation at Asn(1) did not affect the site of signal peptidase cleavage. Disruption of interchain disulfide formation at Cys(-)(1) by substitution with serine markedly enhanced cleavage at the Gly(-)(4)-Ile(-)(3) bond, but substitution with alanine enhanced cleavage at the Cys(-)(1)-Asn(1) bond. We conclude that rat SP-A isoforms arise by a novel mechanism that includes both alternative translation initiation at two in-frame AUGs and a suboptimal context for signal peptidase hydrolysis at the primary cleavage site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Transmembrane signaling by interferon alpha involves diacylglycerol production and activation of the epsilon isoform of protein kinase C in Daudi cells.

The early events that occur after treatment of the highly interferon alpha (IFN-alpha)-sensitive human lymphoblastoid Daudi cell line with human leukocyte IFN-alpha have been examined. IFN-alpha treatment of Daudi cells results in a rapid and transient increase in the cellular content of diacylglycerol, which occurs in the absence of inositol phospholipid turnover, or an increase in intracellular calcium concentration. Furthermore, IFN-alpha treatment results in a selective, time-dependent activation of the Ca(2+)-independent epsilon isoform of protein kinase C (PKC), while the alpha isoform is unaffected by IFN-alpha treatment. In contrast, IFN-alpha treatment of an IFN-resistant subclone of Daudi cells had no effect on the diacylglycerol content of cells and on the activation of PKC-epsilon. The selective PKC inhibitor staurosporine blocked the transcriptional activation of IFN-alpha-stimulated genes, the cytoplasmic accumulation of mRNAs for these genes, and the induction of antiviral activity by IFN-alpha against vesicular stomatitis virus in IFN-sensitive cells. These observations suggest that transmembrane signaling of IFN-alpha involves diacylglycerol production and activation of PKC-epsilon in Daudi cells.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed1997

Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis of vectorially labeled surface proteins of human spermatozoa.

The objective of this study was to identify the repertoire of proteins exposed on the surface of ejaculated human spermatozoa. High-resolution two-dimensional gel systems for separation of human sperm and seminal plasma proteins were developed using both isoelectric focusing (IEF) and nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE) followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (IEF/PAGE, NEPHGE/PAGE). Proteins were visualized by silver staining of gels and by electroblotting followed by gold staining. The protein patterns were analyzed by computer after laser or camera scanning. One thousand three hundred ninety-seven sperm proteins with a molecular mass between 5 and 160 kDa and isoelectric points (pI) from 4 to 11 were catalogued from silver-stained gels loaded with approximately 0.25 mg of NP-40/urea extracts of sperm harvested by Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and 1191 proteins were resolved following extraction with SDS/3-[3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propane-sulfonate/urea. Analysis of seminal plasma proteins obtained from vasectomized patients revealed over 300 silver-stained proteins, which aided the identification of sperm-coating proteins acquired from secretions of the accessory sex organs. Sperm surface proteins accessible to vectorial labeling with 125I or N-hydroxysuccinimide biotin were identified; 181 protein spots were radiolabeled with 125I, while 228 protein spots were biotinylated, including several groups of protein isoforms. Cytoskeletal and intra-acrosomal control proteins were not iodinated or biotinylated, thus verifying the surface specificity of both labeling methods. Ninety-eight sperm surface proteins were labeled by both iodine and biotin, and 22 sperm surface proteins, representing five groups of protein isoforms, were shown to contain phosphotyrosine. A composite computer image showing the position of the dually vectorially labeled sperm surface proteins was constructed, together with a table of the proteins' molecular weight, pI, and relative concentration. In addition, novel isoforms of actin, beta-tubulin, PH-20, and several phosphotyrosine-containing proteins were identified in human sperm.

Biotin↗

PubMed2003

Reactivity of IGF binding protein-3 isoforms towards concanavalin A in healthy adults and subjects with cirrhosis.

The capacity of the liver to synthesize insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) may be compromised by alcohol. The characteristics of IGFBP-3 variants obtained from healthy individuals and patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (ALC) were compared. Concanavalin A (Con A) affinity electrophoresis and ligand blotting demonstrated that there was a gradual change in carbohydrate properties of putative IGFBP-3 with progression of ALC from stages A to C. As many as 12 ionic species of IGFBP-3 could be distinguished, corresponding probably to variously glycosylated and/or phosphorylated isoforms of the core protein. Three of them reacted significantly with the immobilized Con A, the pattern being altered in patients with ALC. Patients with ALC in stage B exhibited the presence of clearly differentiated IGFBP-3 variants less and more Con A reactive, suggesting this stage to be a turning point with the most intensive changes in the IGF - IGFBP system. Because the glycosylation pattern is tissue specific, pathological post-translational modifications found for one glycoprotein (IGFBP-3) are probably shared by others of the same tissue origin. This may affect their susceptibility to proteolysis and subsequently their function.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Synaptic beta-amyloid precursor proteins increase with learning capacity in rats.

The precursor proteins of Alzheimer's disease beta-amyloid peptide, the beta-amyloid precursor protein isoforms, comprise a family of neuronal proteins with synaptic localization whose physiological roles in brain are poorly understood. One possible role for synaptic proteins is involvement in neuronal plasticity. After exposure to an enriched environment compared to impoverished conditions, rats exhibited superior cognitive capacity. Up to approximately four-fold increased overall levels of beta-amyloid precursor proteins were found in cortical/subcortical tissue of the enriched animals displaying significantly more synapses immunoreactive for the different beta-amyloid precursor protein isoforms (beta-amyloid precursor protein695- and beta-amyloid precursor protein751/770) in hippocampus and adjacent occipital cortex. This correlation thus provides in vivo evidence for an association of beta-amyloid precursor proteins with plastic changes induced by complex environment with consequences for cognitive functions and suggests that impaired beta-amyloid precursor protein metabolism at synapses might contribute to brain dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗

PubMed1994

Coordinate changes in C protein and myosin expression during skeletal muscle hypertrophy.

In this study, two new C protein isoforms in adult rat skeletal muscle were resolved using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These isoforms migrated between previously identified fast (Cf) and slow (Cs) C protein isoforms; hence they were named intermediate C proteins (Ci1 and Ci2). Cyanogen bromide peptide mapping and Western blotting showed that the intermediate isoforms were more similar to Cs than Cf. The distribution of specific C protein and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms was highly correlated in several hindlimb muscles, suggesting that the expression of these two thick-filament proteins is coordinated. This notion was tested by determining whether specific C protein and MHC isoforms change in parallel during muscle hypertrophy. Eight weeks after ablation of its synergists, the overloaded plantaris muscle showed significant increases in type IIa MHC and intermediate C protein, with corresponding decreases in type IIb MHC and Cf protein. These results indicate that C protein expression is linked to MHC expression during plantaris muscle hypertrophy.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

A nonerythroid isoform of protein 4.1R interacts with components of the contractile apparatus in skeletal myofibers.

The approximately 80-kDa erythroid 4.1R protein is a major component of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton, where it links transmembrane proteins to the underlying spectrin/actin complexes. A diverse collection of 4.1R isoforms has been described in nonerythroid cells, ranging from approximately 30 to approximately 210 kDa. In the current study, we identified the number and primary structure of 4.1R isoforms expressed in adult skeletal muscle and characterized the localization patterns of 4.1R message and protein. Skeletal muscle 4.1R appears to originate solely from the upstream translation initiation codon (AUG-1) residing in exon 2'. Combinations of alternatively spliced downstream exons generate an array of distinct 4.1R spliceoforms. Two major isoform classes of approximately 105/110 and approximately 135 kDa are present in muscle homogenates. 4.1R transcripts are distributed in highly ordered signal stripes, whereas 4.1R protein(s) decorate the sarcoplasm in transverse striations that are in register with A-bands. An approximately 105/110-kDa 4.1R isoform appears to occur in vivo in a supramolecular complex with major sarcomeric proteins, including myosin, alpha-actin, and alpha-tropomyosin. In vitro binding assays showed that 4.1R may interact directly with the aforementioned contractile proteins through its 10-kDa domain. All of these observations suggest a topological model whereby 4.1R may play a scaffolding role by anchoring the actomyosin myofilaments and possibly modulating their displacements during contraction/relaxation.

Actins↗

PubMed1998

Novel isoforms of the fragile X related protein FXR1P are expressed during myogenesis.

The fragile X syndrome results from transcriptional silencing of the FMR1 gene and the absence of its encoded FMRP protein. Two autosomal homologues of the FMR1 gene, FXR1 and FXR2, have been identified and the overall structures of the corresponding proteins are very similar to that of FMRP. Using antibodies raised against FXR1P, we observed that two major protein isoforms of relative MW of 78 and 70 kDa are expressed in different mammalian cell lines and in the majority of mouse tissues. In mammalian cells grown in culture as well as in brain extracts, both P78and P70isoforms are associated with mRNPs within translating polyribosomes, similarly to their closely related FMRP homologues. In muscle tissues as well as in murine myoblastic cell lines induced to differentiate into myotubes, FXR1P78and P70isoforms are replaced by novel unpredicted isoforms of 81-84 kDa and a novel FXR1 exon splice variant was detected in muscle RNA. While P81-84isoforms expressed after fusion into myotubes in murine myoblast cell lines grown in culture are associated with polyribosomes, this is not the case when isolated from muscle tissues since they sediment with lower S values. Immunohistochemical studies showed coexpression of FMRP and FXR1P70and P78in the cytoplasm of brain neurons, while in muscle no FMRP was detected and FXR1P81-84were mainly localized to structures within the muscle contractile bands. The complex expression pattern of FXR1P suggests tissue-specific expression for the various isoforms of FXR1 and the differential expression of FMRP and FXR1Ps suggests that in certain types of cells and tissues, complementary functions may be fulfilled by the various FMRP family members.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1995

A novel pancreatic beta-cell isoform of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (beta 3 isoform) contains a proline-rich tandem repeat in the association domain.

There is evidence for a role for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation in regulation of insulin secretion but the molecular nature of the kinase(s) responsible is unknown. In this study, the screening of a neonatal rat islet cDNA library resulted in the isolation of a 2 kb clone that was 99% homologous to the beta' isoform of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. The predicted 589 amino acid sequence with a calculated mass of 64,976 Da contained a 24 amino acid deletion in addition to the 15 amino acid deletion that differentiates the beta' from the beta isoform, and included an 86 amino acid novel domain consisting of a tandem repeat of proline-rich residues. The expression of this new isoform of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (beta 3) was confirmed in beta-cell lines and testis by DNA amplification of the sequence encoding the inserted domain by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, followed by Southern analysis.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1991

Translocation of the alpha- and beta-isoforms of protein kinase C following activation of human T-lymphocytes.

We have analyzed how activation of human Jurkat T-cells by the mitogenic lectin, concanavalin A (Con A), may affect the cellular distribution of the alpha- and beta-isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) in T-cells. In non-stimulated cells almost all of the alpha- and beta-PKC was localized to the cytoplasmic compartment. Stimulation with Con A caused a transient translocation of both alpha- and beta-PKC from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane. The alpha-isoform appeared to be translocated to a somewhat greater extent and for a longer period of time than the beta-form. Translocation was maximal between 1 and 5 min for both of the isoforms. 30 min after stimulation, beta-PKC had returned to basal levels, whereas a substantial amount of alpha-PKC remained associated with the particulate fraction. We conclude that activation of human T-cells causes the translocation of at least two different isoforms of PKC, alpha-PKC and beta-PKC.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Tetanus toxin light chain cleaves a vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) isoform 2 in rat pancreatic zymogen granules and inhibits enzyme secretion.

Pancreatic acinar cells, a model cell type for the study of exocytosis in non-excitable cells, were used here to test the hypothesis that molecular mechanisms regulating exocytosis from neuronal and neuroendocrine cells may also be utilized in exocrine cells. Using specific antisera raised against vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) isoforms 1 and 2, we have identified VAMP-2, but not VAMP-1, immunoreactive proteins on rat pancreatic acinar cell secretory (zymogen) granules. This 18-kDa protein co-migrated with rat brain synaptic vesicle VAMP-2. Tetanus toxin (TeTx) light chain caused complete cleavage of this protein, which was prevented by the addition of EDTA. This toxin also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner Ca(2+)-stimulated enzyme secretion by up to approximately 30% in streptolysin O-permeabilized acini. This effect of TeTx on secretion was prevented by the zinc endopeptidase inhibitor captopril or by boiling the toxin. Incomplete inhibition of secretion by TeTx may suggest that TeTx-insensitive or VAMP-2-independent mechanisms also regulate exocytosis. In support, TeTx light chain was without effect on Rab3AL (effector domain peptide of Rab3)-mediated potentiation of Ca(2+)-stimulated secretion. These results indicate that a TeTx-sensitive VAMP-2-like protein on zymogen granules participates in Ca(2+)-regulated pancreatic enzyme secretion and that undefined Rab3AL-activated mechanisms may act independently to regulate exocytosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Immunodetection of nmt55/p54nrb isoforms in human breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: We previously identified and characterized a novel 55 kDa nuclear protein, termed nmt55/p54nrb, whose expression was decreased in a subset of human breast tumors. The objective of this study was to determine if this reduced expression in human breast tumors was attributed to the regulation of mRNA transcription or the presence of altered forms of this protein. RESULTS: Northern blot analysis and ribonuclease protection assay indicated that nmt55/p54nrb mRNA is expressed at varying levels in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and estrogen receptor negative (ER-) human breast tumors suggesting that reduced expression of nmt55/p54nrb protein in ER- tumors was not due to transcriptional regulation. To determine if multiple protein isoforms are expressed in breast cancer, we utilized Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses, which revealed the expression of an nmt55/p54nrb protein isoform in a subset of ER+ tumors. This subset of ER+ human breast tumors expressed an altered form of nmt55/p54nrb that was undetectable with an amino-terminal specific antibody suggesting that this isoform contains alterations or modifications within the amino terminal domain. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that nmt55/p54nrb protein is post-transcriptionally regulated in human breast tumors leading to reduced expression in ER- tumors and the expression of an amino terminal altered isoform in a subset of ER+ tumors. The potential involvement of nmt55/p54nrb in RNA binding and pre-mRNA splicing may be important for normal cell growth and function; thus, loss or alteration of protein structure may contribute to tumor growth and progression.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2006

Cross-species and cross-compartmental aminoacylation of isoaccepting tRNAs by a class II tRNA synthetase.

It was previously shown that ALA1, the only alanyl-tRNA synthetase gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, codes for two functionally exclusive protein isoforms through alternative initiation at two consecutive ACG codons and an in-frame downstream AUG. We reported here the cloning and characterization of a homologous gene from Candida albicans. Functional assays show that this gene can substitute for both the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial functions of ALA1 in S. cerevisiae and codes for two distinct protein isoforms through alternative initiation from two in-frame AUG triplets 8-codons apart. Unexpectedly, although the short form acts exclusively in cytoplasm, the longer form provides function in both compartments. Similar observations are made in fractionation assays. Thus, the alanyl-tRNA synthetase gene of C. albicans has evolved an unusual pattern of translation initiation and protein partitioning and codes for protein isoforms that can aminoacylate isoaccepting tRNAs from a different species and from across cellular compartments.

Alanine-tRNA Ligase↗

PubMed1998

Effects of age on the posttranscriptional regulation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta isoform synthesis in control and LPS-treated livers.

The CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) mRNAs are templates for the differential translation of several isoforms. Immunoblotting detects C/EBPalphas with molecular masses of 42, 38, 30, and 20 kDa and C/EBPbetas of 35, 20, and approximately 8.5 kDa. The DNA-binding activities and pool levels of p42(C/EBPalpha) and p30(C/EBPalpha) in control nuclear extracts decrease significantly whereas the binding activity and protein levels of the 20-kDa isoforms increase dramatically with LPS treatment. Our studies suggest that the LPS response involves alternative translational initiation at specific in-frame AUGs, producing specific C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta isoform patterns. We propose that alternative translational initiation occurs by a leaky ribosomal scanning mechanism. We find that nuclear extracts from normal aged mouse livers have decreased p42(C/EBPalpha) levels and binding activity, whereas those of p20(C/EBPalpha) and p20(C/EBPbeta) are increased. However, translation of 42-kDa C/EBPalpha is not down-regulated on polysomes, suggesting that aging may affect its nuclear translocation. Furthermore, recovery of the C/EBPalpha- and C/EBPbeta-binding activities and pool levels from an LPS challenge is delayed significantly in aged mouse livers. Thus, aged livers have altered steady-state levels of C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta isoforms. This result suggests that normal aging liver exhibits characteristics of chronic stress and a severe inability to recover from an inflammatory challenge.

Aging↗

PubMed2006

Sex cells: dissecting the functions of fruitless isoforms.

Behavioral and developmental sexual dimorphism in fruitflies is related to male-specific expression of protein isoforms encoded by the fruitless gene. A recent study shows that the wide-scale effects of fruitless are associated with differential functions of individual protein isoforms.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Characterization of two isoforms of protein kinase C in the nervous system of Aplysia californica.

By molecular cloning Kruger et al. (Kruger, K. E., Sossin, W. S., Sacktor, T. C., Bergold, P. J., Beushausen, S., and Schwartz, J. H. (1991) J. Neurosci. 11, 2303-2313) provided evidence for three isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC) in Aplysia, two of which, Apl I and Apl II, are expressed abundantly in the nervous system. We resolve two major kinase activities from nervous tissue by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite (HAP), one Ca(2+)-activated and the other Ca(2+)-independent. We show that these two activities correspond to the previously cloned Apl I and II. These two isoforms appear to be the only major PKCs present in nervous tissue. The Apl I kinase is strongly activated by cis-fatty acids but only in the presence of Ca2+. Thus functionally, Apl I is more like the alpha and beta isoforms of vertebrate PKC, than to the vertebrate neural gamma isoform. The Apl II kinase is Ca(2+)-independent and resembles vertebrate PKC epsilon. The simplicity of the PKC isoform distribution in Aplysia makes this mollusc an attractive animal for understanding the differential regulation and physiological activities of Ca(2+)-activated and Ca(2+)-independent PKCs.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Apolipoprotein E variation at the sequence haplotype level: implications for the origin and maintenance of a major human polymorphism.

Three common protein isoforms of apolipoprotein E (apoE), encoded by the epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 alleles of the APOE gene, differ in their association with cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease risk. To gain a better understanding of the genetic variation underlying this important polymorphism, we identified sequence haplotype variation in 5.5 kb of genomic DNA encompassing the whole of the APOE locus and adjoining flanking regions in 96 individuals from four populations: blacks from Jackson, MS (n=48 chromosomes), Mayans from Campeche, Mexico (n=48), Finns from North Karelia, Finland (n=48), and non-Hispanic whites from Rochester, MN (n=48). In the region sequenced, 23 sites varied (21 single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, 1 diallelic indel, and 1 multiallelic indel). The 22 diallelic sites defined 31 distinct haplotypes in the sample. The estimate of nucleotide diversity (site-specific heterozygosity) for the locus was 0.0005+/-0.0003. Sequence analysis of the chimpanzee APOE gene showed that it was most closely related to human epsilon4-type haplotypes, differing from the human consensus sequence at 67 synonymous (54 substitutions and 13 indels) and 9 nonsynonymous fixed positions. The evolutionary history of allelic divergence within humans was inferred from the pattern of haplotype relationships. This analysis suggests that haplotypes defining the epsilon3 and epsilon2 alleles are derived from the ancestral epsilon4s and that the epsilon3 group of haplotypes have increased in frequency, relative to epsilon4s, in the past 200,000 years. Substantial heterogeneity exists within all three classes of sequence haplotypes, and there are important interpopulation differences in the sequence variation underlying the protein isoforms that may be relevant to interpreting conflicting reports of phenotypic associations with variation in the common protein isoforms.

Alleles↗

PubMed1999

Isoform-specific exocytotic protein mRNA expression in hypothalamic magnocellular neurons: regulation after osmotic challenge.

Exocytosis is regulated by proteins which interact to promote docking and fusion of secretory granules with the plasma membrane. We have used in situ hybridization to study the mRNA expression for vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) isoforms VAMP-1 and VAMP-2, synaptosomal-associated protein of 25-kDa (SNAP-25) isoforms SNAP-25a and SNAP-25b, mammalian homologue of unc-18 (munc-18) and Hrs-2 in neurosecretory neurons of the magnocellular paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei of normal and osmotically challenged animals. In PVN and SON neurons of normal animals, strong labeling was demonstrated for VAMP-2 and SNAP-25a mRNA, whereas VAMP-1 or SNAP-25b mRNA could not be detected. Salt-loading (2% NaCl as drinking water), an animal model which increases the expression and secretion of hormones from hypothalamic magnocellular neurons, resulted in significantly increased mRNA levels for VAMP-2 (36%, 28%), munc-18 (74%, 68%) and SNAP-25a (59%, 77%) in the PVN and SON, respectively. There was no significant increase in Hrs-2 mRNA levels in the PVN, whereas a significant increase (22%) was observed in the SON. In the posterior pituitary, immunohistochemistry showed a marked decrease in numbers and intensity of vasopressin-immunoreactive (-IR) nerve endings after salt-loading. There were no obvious changes in numbers or intensity of VAMP-2-, munc-18-, Hrs-2- or SNAP-25-IR fibers. Large varicosities containing VAMP-2- and Hrs-2 immunocreactivity were seen in salt-loaded animals. The results show isoform-specific mRNA expression in neurosecretory neurons and an increased mRNA expression of proteins participating in the molecular regulation of exocytosis during an experimental situation characterized by increased secretion.

Animals↗