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The proteomic analysis of an adipocyte differentiated from human mesenchymal stem cells using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Adipose tissues play a crucial endocrine role in the control of whole body glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Considering the current substantial rise in obesity and obesity-related diseases, including diabetes, it is important to understand the molecular basis of adipocyte differentiation and its control. In this study, we have analyzed the protein expression inherent to adipogenic differentiation, by 2-DE, MALDI-TOF, and RT-PCR. This study focused on proteins that were differentially expressed by the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to adipocytes. We conducted 2-DE for each set of proteins in the cytosol of adipocytes that had differentiated from hMSC, in a pH range from 3-10. Thirty-two protein spots were shown to have different expression levels. Among these, eight up-regulated proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF/MS, as the following: syntaxin binding protein 3, OSBP-related protein 3, phosphodiesterase, glycophorin, immunoglobulin kappa chain variable region, peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), bA528A10.3.1 (novel protein similar to KIAA01616, isoform 1), and T cell receptor V-beta 4. Four proteins: syntaxin-3, OSBP-related protein 3, PPAR-gamma and glycophorin were associated with adipogenesis.

Adipocytes↗

The pallid gene encodes a novel, syntaxin 13-interacting protein involved in platelet storage pool deficiency.

Pallid (pa) is 1 of 13 platelet storage pool deficiency (SPD) mouse mutants. pa animals suffer from prolonged bleeding time, pigment dilution, kidney lysosomal enzyme elevation, serum alpha1-antitrypsin activity deficiency and abnormal otolith formation. As with other mouse mutants of this class, characterization of pa mice suggests a defect in organelle biosynthesis. Here we describe the physical mapping, positional cloning, and mutational and functional analysis of the gene that is defective in pa mice. It encodes a ubiquitously expressed, highly charged 172-amino-acid protein (termed pallidin) with no homology to known proteins. We detected a nonsense mutation at codon 69 of this gene in the pallid mutant. In a yeast two-hybrid screen, we discovered that pallidin interacts with syntaxin 13, a t-SNARE protein that mediates vesicle-docking and fusion. We confirmed this interaction by co-immunoprecipitation assay. Immunofluorescence studies corroborate that the cellular distribution of pallidin overlaps that of syntaxin 13. Whereas the mocha and pearl SPD mutants have defects in Ap-3, our findings suggest that pa SPD mutants are defective in a more downstream event of vesicle-trafficking: namely, vesicle-docking and fusion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protection of lungs from hyperoxic injury: gene expression analysis of cyclosporin A therapy.

We have previously shown that cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin), attenuates hyperoxia-induced reductions in murine lung compliance. CsA protected against hyperoxia-induced changes in neutrophil infiltration, capillary congestion, edema, and hyaline membrane formation. Gene expression studies were conducted to identify the gene expression patterns underlying the protective effects of CsA during hyperoxic lung injury. After 72 h of simultaneous treatment with >95% oxygen and CsA (50 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)), RNA was isolated from murine lungs. RNA from treated and untreated lungs was reverse transcribed to cDNA, competitively hybridized, and used to probe 8,734 complimentary DNAs on the Incyte mouse GEM 1 array. Several known genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) showed increased (GenBank accession numbers: AA125385, AA241295, W87197, syntaxin, and cyclin G) or decreased [AA036517, AA267567, AA217009, W82577, uteroglobin, stromal cell-derived factor 1, and surfactant protein C (SP-C)] expression after hyperoxia. Hyperoxia-stimulated reductions in SP-C gene expression were confirmed through Northern blot analysis. The increase in gene expression of one expressed sequence tag (AA125385) with hyperoxia was reversed by CsA treatment. Sequence data demonstrated that this EST has high homology to murine cyclin B1. Western blot analysis did not demonstrate any changes in distal lung cyclin B1 expression after hyperoxia. Protein expression of cyclin B1 in the distal lung was observed in the endothelial cells, bronchiolar epithelial cells, and both the type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells. Further analysis of cyclin B1 may elucidate the protective actions of CsA in hyperoxic injury.

Animals↗

In vitro characterization of botulinum toxin types A, C and D action on human tissues: combined electrophysiologic, pharmacologic and molecular biologic approaches.

Human exposure to botulinum toxin typically occurs in two settings: 1) as an etiologic agent in the disease botulism and 2) as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of dystonia. Epidemiologic studies on botulism suggest that the human nervous system is susceptible to five toxin serotypes (A, B, E, F and G) and resistant to two (C and D). In the past, these epidemiologic findings have been used as the basis for selecting serotypes that should be tested as therapeutic agents for dystonia. Epidemiologic data have been utilized because there are no studies of botulinum neurotoxin action on isolated human nerves. In the present study, electrophysiologic techniques were used to monitor toxin effects on neuromuscular transmission in surgically excised human pyramidalis muscles, ligand binding studies were done to detect and characterize toxin receptors in human nerve membrane preparations, and molecular biologic techniques were used to isolate and sequence a human gene that encodes a substrate for botulinum neurotoxin. The results demonstrated that stable resting membrane potentials (-61.5 mV; S.E.M. +/- 0.7) were maintained in individual fibers of pyramidalis muscle for up to 6 hr at 33 degrees C. The rate of spontaneous miniature endplate potentials was low in physiologic solution (0.14 sec(-1)) but increased in response to elevations in extracellular potassium concentration. In keeping with epidemiologic findings, botulinum toxin type A (10(-8) M) paralyzed transmission in human preparations (ca. 90 min). In contrast to epidemiologic findings, serotype C (10(-8) M) also paralyzed human tissues (ca. 65 min). Iodinated botulinum toxin displayed high-affinity binding to receptors in human nerve membrane preparations (serotype A high-affinity site: K(d) = 0.3 nM, B(max) = 0.78 pmol/mg protein; serotype C high-affinity site: K(d) = 1.96 nM, B(max) = 8.9 pmol/mg protein). In addition, the human nervous system was found to encode polypeptides that are substrates for botulinum neurotoxin types A (synaptosomal-associated protein of M(r) 25,000) and C (syntaxin 1A). These data have important implications bearing on: 1) the development and administration of vaccines against botulism and 2) the testing of toxin serotypes for the treatment of dystonia.

Botulinum Toxins↗

Functional studies in 3T3L1 cells support a role for SNARE proteins in insulin stimulation of GLUT4 translocation.

Insulin stimulation of glucose transport in the major insulin-responsive tissues results predominantly from the translocation to the cell surface of a particular glucose transporter isoform, GLUT4, residing normally under basal conditions in intracellular vesicular structures. Recent studies have identified the presence of vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) 2, a protein involved in vesicular trafficking in secretory cell types, in the vesicles of insulin-sensitive cells that contain GLUT4. The plasma membranes of insulin-responsive cells have also been shown to contain syntaxin 4 and the 25 kDa synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25), two proteins that form a complex with VAMP 2. The potential functional involvement of VAMP 2, SNAP-25 and syntaxin 4 in the trafficking of GLUT4 was assessed in the present study by determining the effect on GLUT4 translocation of microinjection of toxins that specifically cleave VAMPs or SNAP-25, or microinjection of specific peptides from VAMP 2 and syntaxin 4. Microinjection of tetanus toxin light chain or botulinum D toxin light chain resulted in an 80 and 61% inhibition respectively of insulin stimulation of GLUT4 translocation in 3T3L1 cells assessed using the plasma-membrane lawn assay. Botulinum A toxin light chain, which cleaves SNAP-25, was without effect. Microinjection of an N-terminal VAMP 2 peptide (residues 1-26) inhibited insulin stimulation of GLUT4 translocation by 54%. A syntaxin 4 peptide (residues 106-122) inhibited insulin stimulation of GLUT4 translocation by 40% whereas a syntaxin 1c peptide (residues 226-260) was without effect. These data taken together strongly suggest a role for VAMP 2 in GLUT4 trafficking and also for syntaxin 4. They further indicate that the isoforms of SNAP-25 isolated to date that are sensitive to cleavage by botulinum A toxin light chain do not appear to be involved in GLUT4 translocation.

3T3 Cells↗

Interaction of Vesl-1L/Homer 1c with syntaxin 13.

Vesl-1S/Homer 1a, reported originally as Vesl/Homer, was isolated as a synaptic plasticity-regulated gene. The expression of Vesl-1S/Homer 1a is regulated during long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. Vesl-1L/Homer 1c, which appears to be formed by a splicing event, shares the N-terminus with Vesl-1S/Homer 1a and also contains additional amino acids at the C-terminus. The short form and the long form of the family members both interact with group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). We herein report the identification of syntaxin 13 as a molecule that interacts with Vesl-1L using yeast two-hybrid screening. Syntaxin 13 is a member of the syntaxin family and is regarded as soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive attachment proteins receptors (SNAREs) in the endosomal membranes. The interaction of Vesl-1L and syntaxin 13 was biochemically confirmed by in vitro binding assays. The coexpression of the two proteins in the transfected cells resulted in a colocalization in the intracellular vesicle-like structures. We thus propose that the association of Vesl-1L with syntaxin 13 plays a role in the translocation of Vesl-1L to the intracellular organelles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential expression between synaptic vesicle proteins and presynaptic plasma membrane proteins in the anterior horn of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

This study concerns the immunohistochemical investigation of synaptic proteins in the anterior horn of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Antibodies against synapsin 1 and synaptophysin (i.e. synaptic vesicle proteins), and those against syntaxin and the synaptosomal-associated, 25 kDa protein, SNAP25 (i.e. presynaptic plasma membrane proteins) were used for immunostaining, respectively. Lumbar spinal cords from five ALS and eight control patients were examined. In the controls, all four synaptic proteins exhibited fine granular immunoreactivities, distributed throughout the spinal gray matter almost uniformly. In contrast, in all five ALS patients, two of the synaptic vesicle proteins examined decreased in the anterior horn neuropil diffusely, while in the same lumbar segments of these cases the immunoreactivities of the two presynaptic plasma membrane proteins showed no apparent decrease, or were only mildly diminished in the same gray matter area. These results indicate that, during the presynaptic terminal degeneration in the anterior horn of ALS, synaptic vesicle involvement may precede that of the presynaptic plasma membrane.

Adult↗

Cleavage of members of the synaptobrevin/VAMP family by types D and F botulinal neurotoxins and tetanus toxin.

Tetanus toxin (TeTx) and the various forms of botulinal neurotoxins (BoNT/A to BoNT/G) potently inhibit neurotransmission by means of their L chains which selectively proteolyze synaptic proteins such as synaptobrevin (TeTx, BoNT/B, BoNT/F), SNAP-25 (BoNT/A), and syntaxin (BoNT/C1). Here we show that BoNT/D cleaves rat synaptobrevin 1 and 2 in toxified synaptosomes and in isolated vesicles. In contrast, synaptobrevin 1, as generated by in vitro translation, is only a poor substrate for BoNT/D, whereas this species is cleaved by BoNT/F with similar potency. Cleavage by BoNT/D occurs at the peptide bond Lys59-Leu60 which is adjacent to the BoNT/F cleavage site (Gln58-Lys59) and again differs from the site hydrolyzed by TeTx and BoNT/B (Gln76-Phe77). Cellubrevin, a recently discovered isoform expressed outside the nervous system, is efficiently cleaved by all three toxins examined. For further characterization of the substrate requirements of BoNT/D, we tested amino- and carboxyl-terminal deletion mutants of synaptobrevin 2 as well as synthetic peptides. Shorter peptides containing up to 15 amino acids on either side of the cleavage site were not cleaved, and a peptide extending from Arg47 to Thr116 was a poor substrate for all three toxins tested. However, cleavability was restored when the peptide is further extended at the NH2 terminus (Thr27-Thr116) demonstrating that NH2 terminally located sequences of synaptobrevin which are distal from the respective cleavage sites are required for proteolysis. To further examine the isoform specificity, several mutants of rat synaptobrevin 2 were generated in which individual amino acids were replaced with those found in rat synaptobrevin 1. We show that a Met46 to Ile46 substitution drastically diminishes cleavability by BoNT/D and that the presence of Val76 instead of Gln76 dictates the reduced cleavability of synaptobrevin isoforms by TeTx.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic maps of polymorphic DNA loci on rat chromosome 1.

Genetic linkage maps of loci defined by polymorphic DNA markers on rat chromosome 1 were constructed by genotyping F2 progeny of F344/N x LEW/N, BN/SsN x LEW/N, and DA/Bkl x F344/Hsd inbred rat strains. In total, 43 markers were mapped, of which 3 were restriction fragment length polymorphisms and the others were simple sequence length polymorphisms. Nineteen of these markers were associated with genes. Six markers for five genes, gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor beta3 (Gabrb3), syntaxin 2 (Stx2), adrenergic receptor beta1 (Adrb1), carcinoembryonic antigen gene family member 1 (Cgm1), and lipogenic protein S14 (Lpgp), and 20 anonymous loci were not previously reported. Thirteen gene loci (Myl2, Aldoa, Tnt, Igf2, Prkcg, Cgm4, Calm3, Cgm3, Psbp1, Sa, Hbb, Ins1, and Tcp1) were previously mapped. Comparative mapping analysis indicated that a large portion of rat chromosome 1 is homologous to mouse chromosome 7, although the homologs of two rat genes are located on mouse chromosomes 17 and 19. Homologs of the rat chromosome 1 genes that we mapped are located on human chromosomes 6, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, and 19.

Animals↗

Molecular dissection of regulated secretory pathways in human gastric enterochromaffin-like cells: an immunohistochemical analysis.

Enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells regulate gastric acid secretion through vesicular release of histamine. Until now, the molecular machinery of human ECL cells involved in the formation and release of vesicles is largely unknown. We analyzed tissue samples obtained from normal human gastric mucosa (n=4) and ECLomas (n=5) immunohistochemically using the APAAP method or double immunofluorescence confocal laser microscopy. Human pheochromocytomas (n=5) were investigated in parallel and compared to ECL cells. Secretory pathways were characterized using antibodies specific for marker proteins of large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs; islet cell antigen 512, chromogranin A, pancreastatin, and vesicular monoamine transporter 2) and small synaptic vesicle (SSV) analogues (synaptophysin). Tissues were also analyzed for expression of the peptide hormone processing enzymes, carboxypeptidase E and prohormone convertase 1, as well as the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, 25-kDa synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP25), syntaxin, and synaptobrevin. Immunoreactivity for markers of LDCVs and SSV analogues were detected in normal ECL cells and ECLomas. Both tissues also showed expression of carboxypeptidase E and prohormone convertase 1. Analysis of vesicular SNARE (v-SNARE) and target membrane SNARE (t-SNARE) proteins revealed the presence of SNAP25, syntaxin, and synaptobrevin in normal and neoplastic ECL cells. Our data suggest that ECL cells possess the two vesicle types of regulated neuroendocrine secretory pathways, LDCVs and SSV analogues. Since ECL cells also contain typical SNARE proteins, the molecular machinery underlying secretory processes in this cell type appears to be identical to the secretory apparatus of neuroendocrine cells and neurons. In addition, our findings suggest that the secretory apparatus of ECL cells is maintained during neoplastic transformation.

Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗

Overexpressed syntaxin 1A/HPC-1 inhibits insulin secretion via a regulated pathway, but does not influence glucose metabolism and intracellular Ca2+ in insulinoma cell line beta TC3 cells.

We have previously established a stable beta TC3 cell line that overexpresses syntaxin 1A, designated beta TC-hpc1 cells, in which glucose-stimulated insulin release was decreased. Using beta TC-hpc1 cells, we aimed to determine whether syntaxin 1A functions in the regulatory or constitutive pathway of insulin release. We therefore examined the secretion of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated newly synthesized proinsulin/insulin and total immunoreactive insulin. beta TC3 and beta TC-hpc1 cells were simultaneously pulse-labeled with 3H-leucine for 30 min in 11 mM glucose and chased for 1 h in one of a number of different concentrations of TPA in 11 mM glucose. Total immunoreactive insulin release (IRI) by both cell types during the chase period was markedly increased by the addition of TPA in a dose-dependent manner; however, the IRI from beta TC-hpc1 cells was lower than that from beta TC3 cells. The secretion of newly synthesized proinsulin/insulin from both cell types, which in beta TC3 cells is thought to occur via a constitutive pathway, was in the same range under any condition. Thus, the evidence indicates that syntaxin 1A preferentially functions in the regulated insulin release pathway in beta TC3 cells. In order to clarify the effect of overexpressed syntaxin 1A on glucose metabolism and intracellular Ca2+ we analyzed the glucose transport system, glucose phosphorylation activity, and cytosolic concentration of free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). 2-Deoxy-glucose uptake and the content of GLUT1 protein in the plasma membrane fractions of beta TC-hpc1 cells were not different from those of beta TC3 cells. Radiometric assays of glucose phosphorylation activity showed that there were no differences in hexokinase activity and glucokinase activity between beta TC3 and beta TC-hpc1 cells. [Ca2+]i measured by using fura 2 demonstrated that there was no difference in [Ca2+]i between beta TC3 and beta TC-hpc 1 cells under glucose-stimulated conditions. The present experiments indicate that syntaxin 1A plays a central role in a late step of the regulatory insulin release pathway without a change in glucose metabolism and [Ca2+]i in beta TC3 cells.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning of synaphins/complexins, cytosolic proteins involved in transmitter release, in the electric organ of an electric ray (Narke japonica).

Synaphins/complexins are cytosolic proteins associated with the docking/fusion complex crucial to transmitter release. The electric organ of the electric ray Narke japonica contained at least two kinds of synaphins as revealed by immunoblotting. cDNAs for three synaphins were cloned from a cDNA library prepared from the electric lobe where cell bodies of electromotor nerves innervating the electric organ exist. The proteins encoded by these cDNAs were named Nj-synaphins 1a, 1b and 2 on the basis of their high homologies (83-93%) to mammalian synaphins 1 and 2. Nj-Synaphins were immunoprecipitated by an anti-syntaxin monoclonal antibody, together with syntaxin, SNAP-25 and VAMP (synaptobrevin), suggesting the presence of a docking/fusion complex similar to that in the mammalian brain.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗

An autoinhibitory mechanism for nonsyntaxin SNARE proteins revealed by the structure of Ykt6p.

Ykt6p is a nonsyntaxin SNARE implicated in multiple intracellular membrane trafficking steps. Here we present the structure of the NH2-terminal domain of Ykt6p (Ykt6pN, residues 1 to 140). The structure of Ykt6pN differed entirely from that of syntaxin and resembled the overall fold of the actin regulatory protein, profilin. Like some syntaxins, Ykt6p adopted a folded back conformation in which Ykt6pN bound to its COOH-terminal core domain. The NH2-terminal domain plays an important biological role in the function of Ykt6p, which in vitro studies revealed to include influencing the kinetics and proper assembly of SNARE complexes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Syntaxin 7 and VAMP-7 are soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors required for late endosome-lysosome and homotypic lysosome fusion in alveolar macrophages.

Endocytosis in alveolar macrophages can be reversibly inhibited, permitting the isolation of endocytic vesicles at defined stages of maturation. Using an in vitro fusion assay, we determined that each isolated endosome population was capable of homotypic fusion. All vesicle populations were also capable of heterotypic fusion in a temporally specific manner; early endosomes, isolated 4 min after internalization, could fuse with endosomes isolated 8 min after internalization but not with 12-min endosomes or lysosomes. Lysosomes fuse with 12-min endosomes but not with earlier endosomes. Using homogenous populations of endosomes, we have identified Syntaxin 7 as a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) required for late endosome-lysosome and homotypic lysosome fusion in vitro. A bacterially expressed human Syntaxin 7 lacking the transmembrane domain inhibited homotypic late endosome and lysosome fusion as well as heterotypic late endosome-lysosome fusion. Affinity-purified antibodies directed against Syntaxin 7 also inhibited lysosome fusion in vitro but had no affect on homotypic early endosome fusion. Previous work suggested that human VAMP-7 (vesicle-associated membrane protein-7) was a SNARE required for late endosome-lysosome fusion. A bacterially expressed human VAMP-7 lacking the transmembrane domain inhibited both late endosome-lysosome fusion and homotypic lysosome fusion in vitro. These studies indicate that: 1) fusion along the endocytic pathway is a highly regulated process, and 2) two SNARE molecules, Syntaxin 7 and human VAMP-7, are involved in fusion of vesicles in the late endocytic pathway in alveolar macrophages.

Animals↗

Characterization of insulin-responsive GLUT4 storage vesicles isolated from 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Insulin regulates glucose transport in muscle and adipose tissue by triggering the translocation of a facilitative glucose transporter, GLUT4, from an intracellular compartment to the cell surface. It has previously been suggested that GLUT4 is segregated between endosomes, the trans-Golgi network (TGN), and a postendosomal storage compartment. The aim of the present study was to isolate the GLUT4 storage compartment in order to determine the relationship of this compartment to other organelles, its components, and its presence in different cell types. A crude intracellular membrane fraction was prepared from 3T3-L1 adipocytes and subjected to iodixanol equilibrium sedimentation analysis. Two distinct GLUT4-containing vesicle peaks were resolved by this procedure. The lighter of the two peaks (peak 2) was comprised of two overlapping peaks: peak 2b contained recycling endosomal markers such as the transferrin receptor (TfR), cellubrevin, and Rab4, and peak 2a was enriched in TGN markers (syntaxin 6, the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, sortilin, and sialyltransferase). Peak 1 contained a significant proportion of GLUT4 with a smaller but significant amount of cellubrevin and relatively little TfR. In agreement with these data, internalized transferrin (Tf) accumulated in peak 2 but not peak 1. There was a quantitatively greater loss of GLUT4 from peak 1 than from peak 2 in response to insulin stimulation. These data, combined with the observation that GLUT4 became more sensitive to ablation with Tf-horseradish peroxidase following insulin treatment, suggest that the vesicles enriched in peak 1 are highly insulin responsive. Iodixanol gradient analysis of membranes isolated from other cell types indicated that a substantial proportion of GLUT4 was targeted to peak 1 in skeletal muscle, whereas in CHO cells most of the GLUT4 was targeted to peak 2. These results indicate that in insulin-sensitive cells GLUT4 is targeted to a subpopulation of vesicles that appear, based on their protein composition, to be a derivative of the endosome. We suggest that the biogenesis of this compartment may mediate withdrawal of GLUT4 from the recycling system and provide the basis for the marked insulin responsiveness of GLUT4 that is unique to muscle and adipocytes.

3T3 Cells↗

GLUT4 recycles via a trans-Golgi network (TGN) subdomain enriched in Syntaxins 6 and 16 but not TGN38: involvement of an acidic targeting motif.

Insulin stimulates glucose transport in fat and muscle cells by triggering exocytosis of the glucose transporter GLUT4. To define the intracellular trafficking of GLUT4, we have studied the internalization of an epitope-tagged version of GLUT4 from the cell surface. GLUT4 rapidly traversed the endosomal system en route to a perinuclear location. This perinuclear GLUT4 compartment did not colocalize with endosomal markers (endosomal antigen 1 protein, transferrin) or TGN38, but showed significant overlap with the TGN target (t)-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) Syntaxins 6 and 16. These results were confirmed by vesicle immunoisolation. Consistent with a role for Syntaxins 6 and 16 in GLUT4 trafficking we found that their expression was up-regulated significantly during adipocyte differentiation and insulin stimulated their movement to the cell surface. GLUT4 trafficking between endosomes and trans-Golgi network was regulated via an acidic targeting motif in the carboxy terminus of GLUT4, because a mutant lacking this motif was retained in endosomes. We conclude that GLUT4 is rapidly transported from the cell surface to a subdomain of the trans-Golgi network that is enriched in the t-SNAREs Syntaxins 6 and 16 and that an acidic targeting motif in the C-terminal tail of GLUT4 plays an important role in this process.

3T3 Cells↗

A null mutation in VAMP1/synaptobrevin is associated with neurological defects and prewean mortality in the lethal-wasting mouse mutant.

The soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment receptors are a large family of membrane-associated proteins that are critical for Ca(2+)-mediated synaptic vesicle release. This family includes the VAMP, synaptosomal-associated protein, and syntaxin proteins. In this report, we describe a mutation in vesicle-associated membrane protein 1(VAMP1)/synaptobrevin in the mouse neurological mutant lethal-wasting (lew). The lethal-wasting mutant phenotype is characterized by a general lack of movement and wasting, eventually leading to death before weaning. Mutants are visibly immobile and lay on their side by postnatal day 10 (P10). Before this stage, mutants can be identified by a failure to attempt to right themselves. Affected mice die on average at P15. We used a positional cloning strategy to identify the mutation associated with this neurological phenotype. Lethal wasting had previously been linked to chromosome 6. We further narrowed the genetic disease interval and selected a small number of candidate genes for mutation screening. Genes were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect differences in their expression levels between control and mutant brain ribonucleic acid (RNA) samples. VAMP1 mRNA was found to be significantly downregulated in the lethal-wasting brain compared to wild-type littermates. Subsequently, a nonsense mutation was identified in the coding region of the gene. This mutation is predicted to truncate approximately half of the protein; however, Western blot analysis showed that no protein is detectable in the mutant. VAMP1 is selectively expressed in the retina and in discrete areas of the brain including the zona incerta and rostral periolivary region, although no gross histological abnormalities were observed in these tissues. Taken together, these data indicate that VAMP1 has a vital role in a subset of central nervous system tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel STX16 deletion in autosomal dominant pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib redefines the boundaries of a cis-acting imprinting control element of GNAS.

A unique heterozygous 3-kb microdeletion within STX16, a closely linked gene centromeric of GNAS, was previously identified in multiple unrelated kindreds as a cause of autosomal dominant pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ib (AD-PHP-Ib). We now report a novel heterozygous 4.4-kb microdeletion in a large kindred with AD-PHP-Ib. Affected individuals from this kindred share an epigenetic defect that is indistinguishable from that observed in patients with AD-PHP-Ib who carry the 3-kb microdeletion in the STX16 region (i.e., an isolated loss of methylation at GNAS exon A/B). The novel 4.4-kb microdeletion overlaps with the previously identified deletion by 1,286 bp and, similar to the latter deletion, removes several exons of STX16 (encoding syntaxin-16). Because these microdeletions lead to AD-PHP-Ib only after maternal transmission, we analyzed expression of this gene in lymphoblastoid cells of affected individuals with the 3-kb or the 4.4-kb microdeletion, an individual with a NESP55 deletion, and a healthy control. We found that STX16 mRNA was expressed in all cases from both parental alleles. Thus, STX16 is apparently not imprinted, and a loss-of-function mutation in one allele is therefore unlikely to be responsible for this disorder. Instead, the region of overlap between the two microdeletions likely harbors a cis-acting imprinting control element that is necessary for establishing and/or maintaining methylation at GNAS exon A/B, thus allowing normal G alpha(s) expression in the proximal renal tubules. In the presence of either of the two microdeletions, parathyroid hormone resistance appears to develop over time, as documented in an affected individual who was diagnosed at birth with the 4.4-kb deletion of STX16 and who had normal serum parathyroid hormone levels until the age of 21 mo.

Chromogranins↗