Squid Giant Axon Contains Neurofilament Protein mRNA but does not Synthesize Neurofilament Proteins

When isolated squid giant axons are incubated in radioactive amino acids, abundant newly synthesized proteins are found in the axoplasm. These proteins are translated in the adaxonal Schwann cells and subsequently transferred into the giant axon. The question as to whether any de novo protein synthesis occurs in the giant axon itself is difficult to resolve because the small contribution of the proteins possibly synthesized intra-axonally is not easily distinguished from the large amounts of the proteins being supplied from the Schwann cells. In this paper, we reexamine this issue by studying the synthesis of endogenous neurofilament (NF) proteins in the axon. Our laboratory previously showed that NF mRNA and protein are present in the squid giant axon, but not in the surrounding adaxonal glia. Therefore, if the isolated squid axon could be shown to contain newly synthesized NF protein de novo, it could not arise from the adaxonal glia. The results of experiments in this paper show that abundant 3H-labeled NF protein is synthesized in the squid giant fiber lobe containing the giant axon’s neuronal cell bodies, but despite the presence of NF mRNA in the giant axon no labeled NF protein is detected in the giant axon. This lends support to the glia–axon protein transfer hypothesis which posits that the squid giant axon obtains newly synthesized protein by Schwann cell transfer and not through intra-axonal protein synthesis, and further suggests that the NF mRNA in the axon is in a translationally repressed state.     

Topographic regulation of cytoskeletal protein phosphorylation by multimeric complexes in the squid giant fiber system

In mammalian and squid nervous systems, the phosphorylation of neurofilament proteins (NFs) seems to be topographically regulated. Although NFs and relevant kinases are synthesized in cell bodies, phosphorylation of NFs, particularly in the lys‐ser‐pro (KSP) repeats in NF‐M and NF‐H tail domains, seem to be restricted to axons. To explore the factors regulating the cellular compartmentalization of NF phosphorylation, we separated cell bodies (GFL) from axons in the squid stellate ganglion and compared the kinase activity in the respective lysates. Although total kinase activity was similar in each lysate, the profile of endogenous phosphorylated substrates was strikingly different. Neurofilament protein 220 (NF220), high‐molecular‐weight NF protein (HMW), and tubulin were the principal phosphorylated substrates in axoplasm, while tubulin was the principal GFL phosphorylated substrate, in addition to highly phosphorylated low‐molecular‐weight proteins. Western blot analysis showed that whereas both lysates contained similar kinases and cytoskeletal proteins, phosphorylated NF220 and HMW were completely absent from the GFL lysate. These differences were highlighted by P13^suc1 affinity chromatography, which revealed in axoplasm an active multimeric phosphorylation complex(es), enriched in cytoskeletal proteins and kinases; the equivalent P13 GFL complex exhibited six to 20 times less endogenous and exogenous phosphorylation activity, respectively, contained fewer cytoskeletal proteins and kinases, and expressed a qualitatively different cdc2‐like kinase epitope, 34 kDa rather than 49 kDa. Cell bodies and axons share a similar repertoire of molecular consitutents; however, the data suggest that the cytoskeletal/kinase phosphorylation complexes extracted from each cellular compartment by P13 are fundamentally different. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 40: 89–102, 1999     

Blood–Brain Barrier Protein and Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation

Capillaries in vertebrate brain have unique permeability properties that make up the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Although it is known that capillaries are innervated by nerve endings of intracerebral origin and that brain capillary function is likely acutely regulated by neuronal inputs, the possible mechanisms of neuronal regulation of capillary function are at present unknown. One possible mode of regulation is via the phosphorylation of brain capillary proteins. The present studies characterize, for the first time, the major phosphoproteins in the bovine brain capillary using both intact bovine brain capillaries and plasma membrane fractions from bovine brain capillaries. The patterns of endogenous phosphorylation of capillary proteins are compared to similar patterns obtained with synaptosomal (P2) fractions from bovine brain. The major findings of this study are: (a) The activity of protein phosphorylation in brain capillaries is localized almost exclusively to the capillary plasma membrane, and is nearly comparable to the activity of protein phosphorylation in synaptosomal membranes. (b) A major phosphoprotein doublet in the capillary fraction comigrates on a sodium dodecyl sulfate gel with a major phosphoprotein doublet of approximate molecular weight of 80K in the synaptosomal fraction, and the latter is presumed to be synapsin I; in dephosphorylation assays the synaptosomal 80K phosphoprotein doublet is not subject to measurable dephosphorylation, whereas the capillary 80K doublet is subject to rapid dephosphorylation, and is essentially completely dephosphorylated within 5 s at 0 degrees C. (c) A prominent triplet of phosphoproteins with molecular weight of 50-55K is present in the capillary fraction, and is not present in the synaptosomal fraction; thus, this 50-55K triplet of phosphoproteins appears specific for brain capillaries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Analysis of polyadenylated RNA from brain synaptosomes and mitochondria

We have isolated RNA from sheep brain synaptosomes and mitochondria separated by an aqueous two-phase system composed of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol). RNA was fractionated through oligo(dT)-cellulose columns and analyzed by electrophoresis through agarose slab gels containing methylmercuric hydroxide and stained with ethidium bromide. The electrophoretic patterns of the poly(A)-containing RNA fraction from synaptosomes and mitochondria are very similar although some high molecular weight RNA species, clearly visible in the synaptosomal fraction, are scarcely detected in the mitochondrial preparations. The electrophoretic analysis of a cleaner RNA preparation from digitonin-treated free mitochondria (mitoplasts) showed that all the poly (A)-RNA species of the synaptosomal preparation are also present in mitoplast. These results strongly suggest that all the discrete poly(A)-RNA species identified in brain synaptosomes are of mitochondrial origin.     

Partial purification of molecular weight 12 000 fatty acid binding proteins from rat brain and their effect on synaptosomal Na+-dependent amino acid uptake

High-affinity, Na+-dependent synaptosomal amino acid uptake systems are strongly stimulated by proteins which are known to bind fatty acids, including the Mr 12 000 fatty acid binding protein (FABP) from liver. To explore the possibility that such a function might be served by fatty acid binding proteins intrinsic to brain, we examined the 105000g supernatant of brain for fatty acid binding. Observed binding was accounted for mainly by components excluded by Sephadex G-50, and to a small degree by the Mr 12 000 protein fraction (brain FABP fraction). The partially purified brain FABP fraction contained a protein immunologically identical with liver FABP as well as a FABP electrophoretically distinct from liver FABP. Brain FABP fraction markedly stimulated synaptosomal Na+-dependent, but not Na+-independent, amino acid uptake, and also completely reversed the inhibition of synaptosomal Na+-dependent amino acid uptake induced by oleic acid. Palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids were endogenously associated with the brain FABP fraction. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that Mr 12 000 soluble FABPs intrinsic to brain may act as regulators of synaptosomal Na+-dependent amino acid uptake by sequestering free fatty acids which inhibit this process.     

DIFFERENCES IN THE SUBCELLULAR AND SUBSYNAPTOSOMAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE PUTATIVE ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM MARKERS, NADPH-CYTOCHROME c REDUCTASE, ESTRONE SULFATE SULFOHYDROLASE AND CDP-CHOLINE DIACYLGLYCEROL CHOLINEPHOSPHOTRANSFERASE IN RAT BRAIN

Abstract— A comprehensive study has been undertaken on the subcellular and subsynaptosomal distribution of a number of markers for subcellular organelles in preparations from rat brain. Although the activity of most enzymatic markers was decreased by freezing and storage at - 70^oC, no significant changes were noted in the distribution of these activities. This demonstrates that contamination of brain fractions by subcellular organelles can be accurately assessed after freezing and thawing. A marked discrepancy was noted between the distribution of three putative markers for endoplasmic reticulum. CDP-choline-diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase (EC 2.7.8.1) activity was mainly limited to the microsomal fraction and was present to a lesser extent in the synaptosomal fraction than the other putative markers for endoplasmic reticulum. Estrone sulfate sulfohydrolase (EC 3.1.6.2) activity demonstrated a bimodal distribution between the crude nuclear and microsomal fractions. However, considerable activity was associated with the synaptosomal fraction. NADPH-cytochrome c reductase (EC 2.3.1.15) activity sedimented in the microsomal and the synaptosomal fractions. Calculations based on the relative specific activities of the microsomal and synaptic plasma membrane fraction indicated that the contamination of the synaptic plasma membranes by endoplasmic reticulum was 44.5% (NADPH-cytochrome c reductase), 38.0% (estrone sulfatase) and 9.0% (cholinephosphotransferase). Since it is believed that virtually all of the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine by cholinephosphotransferase occurs in the neuronal and glial cell bodies, it was concluded that cholinephosphotransferase is a satisfactory marker for the endoplasmic reticulum derived from these sources. The results suggest that NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and estrone sulfatase may be present in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum system responsible for the fast transport of macromolecules along the axon to the nerve endings as well as in the endoplasmic reticulum of the cell bodies. The possible relation between that portion of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum involved in fast axonal transport and the GERL (Golgi, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Lysosomes) complex discovered by Novikoff and his coworkers (Novikoff , 1976) is discussed.     

Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in Squid Synaptosomes

The Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II system in squid nervous tissue was investigated. The Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II was found to be very active in the synaptosome preparation from optic lobe, where it was associated with the high-speed particulate fraction. Incubation of the synaptosomal homogenate with calcium, calmodulin, magnesium, and ATP resulted in partial and reversible conversion of the Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II from its calcium-dependent form to a calcium-independent species. The magnitude of this conversion reaction could be increased by inclusion of the protein phosphatase inhibitor NaF or by substitution of adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) for ATP. When [gamma-32P]ATP was used, proteins of 54 and 58 kilodaltons (kDa) as well as proteins greater than 100 kDa were rapidly 32P-labeled in a calcium-dependent manner. Major 125I-CaM binding proteins in the synaptosome membrane fraction were 38 and 54 kDa. The Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II was purified from the squid synaptosome and was shown to consist of 54- and 58-60-kDa subunits. The purified kinase, like Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II from rat brain, catalyzed autophosphorylation associated with formation of the calcium-independent form. These studies, characterizing the Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II in squid neural tissue, are supportive of the putative role of this kinase in regulating calcium-dependent synaptic functions.     

Axoplasmic RNA species synthesized in the isolated squid giant axon

Isolated squid stellate nerves and giant fiber lobes were incubated for 8 hr in Millipore filtered sea water containing [³H]uridine. The electrophoretic patterns of radioactive RNA purified from the axoplasm of the giant axon and from the giant fiber lobe (cell bodies of the giant axon) demonstrated the presence of RNA species with mobilities corresponding to tRNA and rRNA. The presence of labeled rRNAs was confirmed by the behavior of the large rRNA component (31S) which, in the squid, readily dissociates into its two constituent moyeties (17S and 20S). Comparable results were obtained with the axonal sheath and the stellate nerve. In all the electrophoretic patterns, additional species of radioactive RNA migrated between the 4S and the 20S markers, i.e. with mobilities corresponding to presumptive mRNAs. Chromatographic analysis of the purified RNAs on oligo(dT)cellulose indicated the presence of labeled poly(A)⁺ RNA in all tissue samples. Radioactive poly(A)⁺ RNA represented approximately 1% of the total labeled RNA in the axoplasm, axonal sheath and stellate nerve, but more than 2% in the giant fiber lobe. The labeled poly(A)⁺ RNAs of the giant fibre lobe showed a prevalence of larger species in comparison to the axonal sheath and stellate nerve. In conclusion, the axoplasmic RNAs synthesized by the isolated squid giant axon appear to include all the major classes of axoplasmic RNAs, that is rRNA, tRNA and mRNA.Special Issue dedicated to Prof. Holger Hydén.     

ANALYSIS OF RNA SYNTHESIZED BY AN ISOLATED RAT BRAIN SYNAPTOSOMAL FRACTION

Abstract— A synaptosomal fraction derived from rat brain, when incubated in an appropriate medium. incorporates [5-³H]uridine into RNA. On the basis of sedimentation analysis, RNA-DNA hybridization and metabolic inhibitor studies, mitochondrial RNA species appear to be the major, if not sole, RNA products synthesized by the isolated synaptosomal fraction. Electronmicroscope autoradiographic analysis showed that about 50% of the incorporation of [5-³H]uridine into RNA by this fraction occurs in the presynaptic endings. The capacity of mitochondrial RNA synthesis in isolated nerve endings declines as the age of the animal increases from 10 to 30 days, and by 60 days of age discrete mitochondrial RNA species are barely detectable.     

Topographic regulation of phosphorylation in giant neurons of the squid, Loligo pealei: role of phosphatases

In previous studies of phosphorylation in squid stellate ganglion neurons, we demonstrated that a specific multimeric phosphorylation complex characterized each cellular compartment. Although the endogenous protein profile of cell body extracts (giant fiber lobe, GFL), as determined by Coomassie staining, was similar to that of axoplasm from the giant axon, in this study we show that the protein phosphorylation profiles are qualitatively different. Whereas many axoplasm proteins were phosphorylated, including most cytoskeletal proteins, virtually all phosphorylation in perikarya was confined to low molecular weight compounds (<6 kDa). Because phosphorylation of exogenous substrates, histone and casein, was equally active in extracts from both compartments, failure to detect endogenous protein phosphorylation in cell bodies was attributed to the presence of more active phosphatases. To further explore the role of phosphatases in these neurons, we studied phosphorylation in the presence of serine/threonine and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors. We found that phosphorylation of axonal cytoskeletal proteins was modulated by okadaic acid-sensitive ser/thr phosphatases, whereas cell body phosphorylation was more sensitive to an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, such as vanadate. Inhibition of PTPs by vanadate stimulated endogenous phosphorylation of GFL proteins, including cytoskeletal proteins. Protein tyrosine kinase activity was equally stimulated by vanadate in cell body and axonal whole homogenates and Triton X-100 free soluble extracts, but only the Triton X soluble fraction (membrane bound proteins) of the GFL exhibited significant activation in the presence of vanadate, suggesting higher PTP activities in this fraction than in the axon. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that neuronal protein phosphorylation in axons and cell bodies is modulated by different phosphatases associated with compartment-specific multimeric complexes.     

The disc electrophoretic separation of proteins from various parts of the guinea pig brain

—Disc electrophoresis was used to study the saline-soluble and detergent-soluble proteins of various parts of the auditory pathway in the guinea pig brain. The five areas studied were the cochlear nucleus, olivary complex, inferior colliculus, medial geniculate and the auditory cortex. A study was also made of the proteins extracted from subcellular fractions obtained from guinea pig cerebral cortex. The electrophoretic patterns showed small but significant differences in the five areas of the brain, both in the fast-running acidic proteins and in the very slow-moving proteins. The higher levels of the auditory pathway, to which the more complex information processing and storage is normally attributed, showed more complex electrophoretic patterns than the lower areas. Gross differences also occurred in the patterns of both the saline-soluble and T-X-100-soluble proteins of the subcellular fractions obtained by gradient density centrifugation. The simplest patterns were obtained from the myelin-rich fraction and the mitochondrial fraction whilst the most complex patterns were given by the proteins of the nerve ending fraction and the cell soluble fraction.     

RAPID TRANSPORT OF FUCOSYL GLYCOPROTEINS TO NERVE ENDINGS IN MOUSE BRAIN

Abstract— Mice were injected intracerebrally with mixtures of [³H]fucose and [¹⁴C]gluco-samine, and incorporation into macromolecules in various subcellular fractions of brain was studied at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after administration of the precursors. There was a lag of several hours between the incorporation of [³H]fucose into the glycoproteins of the whole brain fractions and of that into the soluble and particulate glycoproteins of the nerve ending fractions. In contrast, no lag was observed between the incorporation of [¹⁴C]glucosamine into the macromolecules of the whole brain fractions and of that into the soluble macro-molecules of the nerve ending fraction. We conclude that fucosyl glycoproteins of the nerve ending fraction were synthesized in the nerve cell bodies and transported to nerve endings by rapid axoplasmic transport, whereas a substantial proportion of the glucosamine in the soluble macromolecules of the nerve ending fraction was incorporated by the nerve endings themselves. In addition, our evidence indicates that cyclobeximide inhibited fucose incorporation into brain glycoproteins by inhibiting the synthesis of acceptor proteins rather than fucosyl transferase.     

Occurrence of Sialyltransferase Activity in the Synaptosomal Membranes Prepared from Calf Brain Cortex

The possible occurrence of sialyltransferase activity in the plasma membranes surrounding nerve endings (synaptosomal membranes) was studied, using calf brain cortex. The synaptosomal membranes were prepared by an improved procedure which provided: (a) a ?nerve ending fraction” consisting of at least 85% well-preserved nerve endings and containing only small quantities of membranes of intracellular origin; (b) a ?synaptosomal membrane fraction” carrying high amounts of authentic plasma membrane markers (Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase, 5′-nucleotidase, sialidase, gangliosides) with values of specific activity four to fivefold higher than those in the ?nerve ending fraction” and very small amounts of cerebroside sulphotransferase, marker of the Golgi apparatus, and of other markers of intracellular membranes (rotenone-insensitive NADH and NADPH: cytochrome c reductases), the specific activities of which were, respectively, 0.5- and 0.7-fold that in the ?nerve ending fraction”. Thus the preparation of synaptosomal membranes used had the characteristics of plasma membranes and carried a negligible contamination of membranes of intracellular origin. The distribution of sialyltransferase activity in the main brain subcellular fractions (microsomes; P₂ fraction; nerve ending fraction; mitochondria) resembled most closely that of thiamine pyrophosphatase, the enzyme known to be linked to the Golgi apparatus and the plasma membranes and of acetylcholine esterase, the enzyme known to be linked to either intracellular or plasma membranes. The enrichment of sialyltransferase activity in the ?synaptosomal membrane fraction”, referred to the ?nerve ending fraction”, was practically the same as that exhibited by authentic plasma membrane markers. All this is consistent with the hypothesis that in calf brain cortex sialyltransferase has two different subcellular locations: one at the level of intracellular structures, most likely the Golgi apparatus (as described by other authors), the other in the synaptosomal plasma membranes. The basic properties (pH optimum, V/S, V/t and V/protein relationships) and detergent requirements of the synaptosomal membrane-bound sialyltransferase were established. The highest enzyme activities were recorded on exogenous acceptors, lactosylceramide and ds -fetuin. The K_m values for CMP-NeuNAc were different using lactosylceramide and ds -fetuin as acceptor substrates (0.57 and 0.135 mm , respectively); the thermal stability of the enzyme acting on glycolipid acceptor was higher than that on the glycoprotein acceptor; the effect of detergents was different when using glycoprotein from glycolipid acceptors; no competition was observed between lactosylceramide and ds -fetuin. Thus the synaptosomal membranes carry at least two different sialyltransferase activities: one acting on lactosylceramide (and glycolipid acceptors), the other working on ds -fetuin (and glycoprotein acceptors). Ganglioside GM₃ was recognized as the product of synaptosomal membrane-bound sialyltransferase activity working on lactosylceramide as acceptor substrate.     

Cell-to-cell transfer of glial proteins to the squid giant axon: The glia- neuron protein transfer hypothesis

The hypothesis that glial cells synthesize proteins which are transferred to adjacent neurons was evaluated in the giant fiber of the squid (Loligo pealei). When giant fibers are separated from their neuron cell bodies and incubated in the presence of radioactive amino acids, labeled proteins appear in the glial cells and axoplasm. Labeled axonal proteins were detected by three methods: extrusion of the axoplasm from the giant fiber, autoradiography, and perfusion of the giant fiber. This protein synthesis is completely inhibited by puromycin but is not affected by chloramphenicol. The following evidence indicates that the labeled axonal proteins are not synthesized within the axon itself. (a) The axon does not contain a significant amount of ribosomes or ribosomal RNA. (b) Isolated axoplasm did not incorporate [(3)H]leucine into proteins. (c) Injection of Rnase into the giant axon did not reduce the appearance of newly synthesized proteins in the axoplasm of the giant fiber. These findings, coupled with other evidence, have led us to conclude that the adaxonal glial cells synthesize a class of proteins which are transferred to the giant axon. Analysis of the kinetics of this phenomenon indicates that some proteins are transferred to the axon within minutes of their synthesis in the glial cells. One or more of the steps in the transfer process appear to involve Ca++, since replacement of extracellular Ca++ by either Mg++ or Co++ significantly reduces the appearance of labeled proteins in the axon. A substantial fraction of newly synthesized glial proteins, possibly as much as 40 percent, are transferred to the giant axon. These proteins are heterogeneous and range in size from 12,000 to greater than 200,000 daltons. Comparisons of the amount of amino acid incorporation in glia cells and neuron cell bodies raise the possibility that the adaxonal glial cells may provide an important source of axonal proteins which is supplemental to that provided by axonal transport from the cell body. These findings are discussed with reference to a possible trophic effect of glia on neurons and metabolic cooperation between adaxonal glia and the axon.     

Proteome of synaptosome‐associated proteins in spinal cord dorsal horn after peripheral nerve injury

Peripheral nerve injury may lead to neuroadaptive changes of cellular signals in spinal cord that are thought to contribute to central mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain. Here we used a 2‐DE‐based proteomic technique to determine the global expression changes of synaptosome‐associated proteins in spinal cord dorsal horn after unilateral fifth spinal nerve injury (SNI). The fifth lumbar dorsal horns ipsilateral to SNI or sham surgery were harvested on day 14 post‐surgery, and the total soluble and synaptosomal fractions were isolated. The proteins derived from the synaptosomal fraction were resolved by 2‐DE. We identified 27 proteins that displayed different expression levels after SNI, including proteins involved in transmission and modulation of noxious information, cellular metabolism, membrane receptor trafficking, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and degeneration. Six of the 27 proteins were chosen randomly and further validated in the synaptosomal fraction by Western blot analysis. Unexpectedly, Western blot analysis showed that only one protein in the total soluble fraction exhibited a significant expression change after SNI. The data indicate that peripheral nerve injury changes not only protein expression but also protein subcellular distribution in dorsal horn cells. These changes might participate in the central mechanism that underlies the maintenance of neuropathic pain.     

Appearance and phosphorylation of the 210 kDalton neurofilament protein in newborn rat brain,spinal cord,and sciatic nerve

The appearance and in vivo phosphorylation of the 210 kDalton (kD) neurofilament protein (NF210K) in newborn rat brain, spinal cord, and sciatic nerve were invetigated. Electron microscopic examination of neurofilaments isolated from newborn rat brain and spinal cord demonstrated morphologically distinct filaments which contained cross-bridging side arms. Neurofilament proteins, phosphorylated in vivo, were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate slab gel electrophoresis and were transferred from acrylamide gels to nitrocellulose sheets. The nitrocellulose sheets were treated with antiserum to the 70 kD, 145 kD and 210 kD neurofilament proteins by the immunoblot technique. The three neurofilament proteins were found to be present in newborn brain, spinal cord and sciatic nerve. The presence of NF210K in newborn rat brain was further confirmed by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by indentification of this protein by the immunoblot technique. Exposure of the immunostained nitrocellulose sheets to x-ray film revealed that the NF210K, NF145K, and NF70K proteins were phosphorylated in filaments prepared from newborn rat central and peripheral nervous systems. These results suggest that the synthesis and posttranslational modification of the neurofilament proteins may be synchronized or developmentally regulated. It is feasible that phosphorylation of the NF210K subunit may be a prerequisite for the formation of neurofilament cross-bridging elements which are necessary for radial growth of axons.     

Characterisation of microtubule-associated proteins at the synapse: absence of MAP 2

The high molecular weight microtubule-associated proteins MAP 1 and MAP 2 are major components of brain cytosol and can be readily identified using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on the basis of heat-stability and co-sedimentation with microtubules. An examination of synaptosomal cytosol, synaptic plasma membrane and postsynaptic density fractions showed that MAP 2 is absent from these fractions and thus from both pre- and postsynaptic sites. All of the fractions contained polypeptides that comigrated with MAP 1 and a MAP 1 like polypeptide was identified in a microtubule preparation from synaptosomal cytosol. The absence of MAP 2 from synaptosomal cytosol was confirmed by immunoblotting using an antibody directed against MAP 2. Immunocytochemistry using this antibody showed that MAP 2 was present in cell bodies and dendrites but absent from axons.     

Caspase Inhibition Protects Nerve Terminals from in Vitro Degradation

Caspase activation and apoptotic events may take place in terminal regions far removed from the cell body and contribute to synapse loss in neurodegenerative diseases. For examination of events in terminals, we have developed a cell-free assay using quantitative flow cytometric analysis (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) of neuronal particles in a P2 synaptosomal preparation (P-2) from rat brain as a model system. Staurosporine-induced loss of neuronal particles was blocked by nonselective caspase inhibition (z-VAD-fmk) and by calpain inhibition (calpain inhibitor II [ALLM]). Phosphatidylserine exposure was increased in the P-2 by staurosporine treatment, and this increase was blocked by a peptide inhibitor of caspase-3–like activity (Ac-DEVD-CHO). Increased caspase activity in the crude synaptosomal fraction was confirmed by direct measurement with a fluorometric assay. These results indicate activation of both caspase and calpain in the P-2 fraction and suggest a role for these cysteine proteases in the in vitro degradation of nerve terminals.     

THE SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION OF HISTIDINE DECARBOXYLASE IN VARIOUS REGIONS OF RAT BRAIN

Abstract— The subcellular distribution of histidine decarboxylase (assayed by two different isotopic methods) and several biochemical markers (lactate dehydrogenase, DOPA decarboxylase and protein) was determined in rat cerebral cortex. After differential centrifugation, the enzyme activity was found mainly in the crude mitochondrial and soluble fractions. Further separation of the former on discontinuous sucrose gradients showed that the particulate histidine decarboxylase (HD) was found in the synaptosomal fraction. After osmotic shock, HD activity appeared in the supernatant fraction suggesting that a major portion of the enzyme is localized in the cytoplasm of cortical nerve endings. By analogy with other brain amines, this finding, together with the presence of histamine in synaptic vesicles (K ataoka and de R obertis , 1967), can be taken as further support for the hypothesis of a role as neurotransmitter for histamine.
Various brain regions were homogenized under conditions leading to synaptosome formation. The distribution of HD between 'particulate' and soluble fractions differed from one region to the other, but did not give any clear-cut indication of regions rich in cell bodies or nerve terminals.