GAP-43 Augmentation of G Protein-Mediated Signal Transduction Is Regulated by Both Phosphorylation and Palmitoylation

Abstract: The neuronal protein GAP-43 is concentrated at the growth cone membrane, where it is thought to amplify the signal transduction process. As a model for its neuronal effects, GAP-43 protein injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes strongly augments the calcium-sensitive chloride current evoked by the G protein-coupled receptor stimulation. We have now examined a series of GAP-43 mutants in this system and determined those regions of GAP-43 required for this increase in current flux. As expected, palmitoylation inhibits signal amplification in oocytes by blocking G protein activation. Unexpectedly, a second domain of GAP-43 (residues 35–50) containing a protein kinase C phosphorylation site at residue 41 is also necessary for augmentation of G protein-coupled signals in oocytes. This region is not required for activation of isolated G_o but is necessary for GAP-43 binding to isolated calmodulin and to isolated protein kinase C. Substitution of Asp for Ser⁴¹ inactivates GAP-43 as a signal facilitator in oocytes. This mutation blocks GAP-43 binding to both protein kinase C and calmodulin. Thus, GAP-43 regulates an oocyte signaling cascade via coordinated, simultaneous G protein activation and interaction with either calmodulin or protein kinase C.     

Molecular analysis of the function of the neuronal growth-associated protein GAP-43 by genetic intervention

GAP-43 is a presynaptic membrane phosphoprotein that has been implicated in both the development and the modulation of neural connections. The availability of cDNA clones for GAP-43 makes it possible to examine with greater precision its role in neuronal outgrowth and physiology. We used Northern blots and in situ hybridization with GAP-43 antisense RNA probes to show that GAP-43 is expressed selectively in associative regions of the adult brain. Immunocytochemical analyses showed alterations in the pattern of GAP-43 expression in the hippocampus during reactive synaptogenesis following lesions of the perforant pathway. Genetic intervention methodology was used to analyze the molecular nature of GAP-43 involvement in synaptic plasticity. GAP-43-transfected PC12 cells displayed an enhanced response to nerve growth factor, suggesting that GAP-43 may be directly involved in neurite extension and in the modulation of the neuronal response to extrinsic trophic factors. Studies of PC12 cell transfectants, in which the synthesis of GAP-43 was blocked by expression of GAP-43 antisense RNA, showed that evoked dopamine release was significantly attenuated in these cells. The use of gene transfer into neurons with the HSV-1 vector is presented as a method of analyzing the interaction of GAP-43 with signal transduction systems during neurotransmitter release.     

Phosphorylation-site mutagenesis of the growth-associated protein GAP- 43 modulates its effects on cell spreading and morphology

The 43-kD growth-associated protein (GAP-43) is a major protein kinase C (PKC) substrate of axonal growth cones, developing nerve terminals, regenerating axons, and adult central nervous system areas associated with plasticity. It is a cytosolic protein associated with the cortical cytoskeleton and the plasmalemma. Membrane association of GAP-43 is mediated by palmitoylation at Cys3Cys4. In vitro and in vivo, phosphorylation by PKC exclusively involves Ser41 of mammalian GAP-43 (corresponding to Ser42 in the chick protein). To identify aspects of GAP-43 function, we analyzed the actions of wild-type, membrane- association, and phosphorylation-site mutants of GAP-43 in nonneuronal cell lines. The GAP-43 constructs were introduced in L6 and COS-7 cells by transient transfection. Like the endogenous protein in neurons and their growth cones, GAP-43 in nonneuronal cells associated with the cell periphery. GAP-43 accumulated in the pseudopods of spreading cells and appeared to interact with cortical actin-containing filaments. Spreading L6 cells expressing high levels of recombinant protein displayed a characteristic F-actin labeling pattern consisting of prominent radial arrays of peripheral actin filaments. GAP-43 had dramatic effects on local surface morphology. Characteristic features of GAP-43-expressing cells were irregular cell outlines with prominent and numerous filopodia. The effects of GAP-43 on cell morphology required association with the cell membrane, since GAP-43(Ala3Ala4), a mutant that failed to associate with the cell cortex, had no morphogenetic activity. Two GAP-43 phosphorylation mutants (Ser42 to Ala42 preventing and Ser42 to Asp42 mimicking phosphorylation by PKC) modulated the effects of GAP-43 in opposite ways. Cells expressing GAP- 43(Asp42) spread extensively and displayed large and irregular membranous extensions with little filopodia, whereas GAP-43(Ala42) produced small, poorly spreading cells with numerous short filopodia. Therefore, GAP-43 influences cell surface behavior and phosphorylation modulates its activity. The presence of GAP-43 in growing axons and developing nerve termini may affect the behavior of their actin- containing cortical cytoskeleton in a regulatable manner.     

Role of GAP-43 in sequestering phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to Raft bilayers

The lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) is critical for a number of physiological functions, and its presence in membrane microdomains (rafts) appears to be important for several of these spatially localized events. However, lipids like PIP₂ that contain polyunsaturated hydrocarbon chains are usually excluded from rafts, which are enriched in phospholipids (such as sphingomyelin) containing saturated or monounsaturated chains. Here we tested a mechanism by which multivalent PIP₂ molecules could be transferred into rafts through electrostatic interactions with polybasic cytoplasmic proteins, such as GAP-43, which bind to rafts via their acylated N-termini. We analyzed the interactions between lipid membranes containing raft microdomains and a peptide (GAP-43P) containing the linked N-terminus and the basic effector domain of GAP-43. In the absence or presence of nonacylated GAP-43P, PIP₂ was found primarily in detergent-soluble membranes thought to correspond to nonraft microdomains. However, when GAP-43P was acylated by palmitoyl coenzyme A, both the peptide and PIP₂ were greatly enriched in detergent-resistant membranes that correspond to rafts; acylation of GAP-43P changed the free energy of transfer of PIP₂ from detergent-soluble membranes to detergent-resistant membranes by −1.3 kcal/mol. Confocal microscopy of intact giant unilamellar vesicles verified that in the absence of GAP-43P PIP₂ was in nonraft microdomains, whereas acylated GAP-43P laterally sequestered PIP₂ into rafts. These data indicate that sequestration of PIP₂ to raft microdomains could involve interactions with acylated basic proteins such as GAP-43.     

GAP-43 regulates NCAM-180-mediated neurite outgrowth

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), and the growth-associated protein (GAP-43), play pivotal roles in neuronal development and plasticity and possess interdependent functions. However, the mechanisms underlying the functional association of GAP-43 and NCAM have not been elucidated. In this study we show that (over)expression of GAP-43 in PC12E2 cells and hippocampal neurons strongly potentiates neurite extension, both in the absence and in the presence of homophilic NCAM binding. This potentiation is crucially dependent on the membrane association of GAP-43. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of GAP-43 by protein kinase C (PKC) as well as by casein kinase II (CKII) is important for the NCAM-induced neurite outgrowth. Moreover, our results indicate that in the presence of GAP-43, NCAM-induced neurite outgrowth requires functional association of NCAM-180/spectrin/GAP-43, whereas in the absence of GAP-43, the NCAM-140/non-receptor tyrosine kinase (Fyn)-associated signaling pathway is pivotal. Thus, expression of GAP-43 presumably acts as a functional switch for NCAM-180-induced signaling. This suggests that under physiological conditions, spatial and/or temporal changes of the localization of GAP-43 and NCAM on the cell membrane may determine the predominant signaling mechanism triggered by homophilic NCAM binding: NCAM-180/spectrin-mediated modulation of the actin cytoskeleton, NCAM-140-mediated activation of Fyn, or both.     

The RNA-binding protein HuD is required for GAP-43 mRNA stability, GAP-43 gene expression, and PKC-dependent neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells

The RNA-binding protein HuD binds to a regulatory element in the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of the GAP-43 mRNA. To investigate the functional significance of this interaction, we generated PC12 cell lines in which HuD levels were controlled by transfection with either antisense (pDuH) or sense (pcHuD) constructs. pDuH-transfected cells contained reduced amounts of GAP-43 protein and mRNA, and these levels remained low even after nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation, a treatment that is normally associated with protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent stabilization of the GAP-43 mRNA and neuronal differentiation. Analysis of GAP-43 mRNA stability demonstrated that the mRNA had a shorter half-life in these cells. In agreement with their deficient GAP-43 expression, pDuH cells failed to grow neurites in the presence of NGF or phorbol esters. These cells, however, exhibited normal neurite outgrowth when exposed to dibutyryl-cAMP, an agent that induces outgrowth independently from GAP-43. We observed opposite effects in pcHuD-transfected cells. The GAP-43 mRNA was stabilized in these cells, leading to an increase in the levels of the GAP-43 mRNA and protein. pcHuD cells were also found to grow short spontaneous neurites, a process that required the presence of GAP-43. In conclusion, our results suggest that HuD plays a critical role in PKC-mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and that this protein does so primarily by promoting the stabilization of the GAP-43 mRNA.     

Posttranslational membrane attachment and dynamic fatty acylation of a neuronal growth cone protein, GAP-43

Growth cones, the motile apparatus at the ends of elongating axons, are sites of extensive and dynamic membrane-cytoskeletal interaction and insertion of new membrane into the growing axon. One of the most abundant proteins in growth cone membranes is a protein designated GAP-43, whose synthesis increases dramatically in most neurons during periods of axon development or regeneration. We have begun to explore the role of GAP-43 in growth cone membrane functions by asking how the protein interacts with those membranes. Membrane-washing experiments indicate that mature GAP-43 is tightly bound to growth cone membranes, and partitioning of Triton X-114-solubilized GAP-43 between detergent-enriched and detergent-depleted phases indicates considerable hydrophobicity. The hydrophobic behavior of the protein is modulated by divalent cations, particularly zinc and calcium. In vivo labeling of GAP-43 in neonatal rat brain with [35S]methionine shows that GAP-43 is initially synthesized as a soluble protein that becomes attached to membranes posttranslationally. In tissue culture, both rat cerebral cortex cells and neuron-like PC12 cells actively incorporate [3H]palmitic acid into GAP-43. Isolated growth cones detached from their cell bodies also incorporate labeled fatty acid into GAP-43, suggesting active turnover of the fatty acid moieties on the mature protein. Hydrolysis of ester-like bonds with neutral hydroxylamine removes the bound fatty acid and exposes new thiol groups on GAP-43, suggesting that fatty acid is attached to the protein's only two cysteine residues, located in a short hydrophobic domain at the amino terminus. Modulation of the protein's hydrophobic behavior by divalent cations suggests that other domains, containing large numbers of negatively charged residues, might also contribute to GAP-43-membrane interactions. Our observations suggest a dynamic and reversible interaction of GAP-43 with growth cone membranes.     

Chicken Growth-Associated Protein GAP-43 Is Tightly Bound to the Actin-Rich Neuronal Membrane Skeleton

We have identified the chicken equivalent of growth-associated protein GAP-43 in a detergent-resistant membrane skeleton from cultures of chick neurones and embryonic chick brain. Antisera to the membrane skeleton protein, the 3D5 antigen, precipitate the translation product of chick GAP-43 cDNA, and the 3D5 antigen is also detected by antisera against synthetic peptides from the known amino acid sequence of rat GAP-43. The chick protein and the rat GAP-43 are biochemically similar proteins that both serve as major targets of phosphorylation by endogenous protein kinase C. The detergent-resistant complex in which GAP-43 is found also contains actin (approximately 5% of the total protein) and a neurone-specific cell surface glycoprotein. We suggest that the membrane skeleton of neurones may be a primary site of action of GAP-43.     

M-calpain-mediated cleavage of GAP-43 near Ser41 is negatively regulated by protein kinase C, calmodulin and calpain-inhibiting fragment GAP-43-3

Neuronal protein GAP-43 performs multiple functions in axon guidance, synaptic plasticity and regulation of neuronal death and survival. However, the molecular mechanisms of its action in these processes are poorly understood. We have shown that in axon terminals GAP-43 is a substrate for calcium-activated cysteine protease m-calpain, which participates in repulsion of axonal growth cones and induction of neuronal death. In pre-synaptic terminals in vivo, in synaptosomes, and in vitro, m-calpain cleaved GAP-43 in a small region near Ser41, on either side of this residue. In contrast, micro-calpain cleaved GAP-43 in vitro at several other sites, besides Ser41. Phosphorylation of Ser41 by protein kinase C or GAP-43 binding to calmodulin strongly suppressed GAP-43 proteolysis by m-calpain. A GAP-43 fragment, lacking about forty N-terminal residues (named GAP-43-3), was produced by m-calpain-mediated cleavage of GAP-43 and inhibited m-calpain, but not micro-calpain. This fragment prevented complete cleavage of intact GAP-43 by m-calpain as a negative feedback. GAP-43-3 also blocked m-calpain activity against casein, a model calpain substrate. This implies that GAP-43-3, which is present in axon terminals in high amount, can play important role in regulation of m-calpain activity in neurons. We suggest that GAP-43-3 and another (N-terminal) GAP-43 fragment produced by m-calpain participate in modulation of neuronal response to repulsive and apoptotic signals.     

GAP-43 mediates retinal axon interaction with lateral diencephalon cells during optic tract formation

GAP-43 is an abundant intracellular growth cone protein that can serve as a PKC substrate and regulate calmodulin availability. In mice with targeted disruption of the GAP-43 gene, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons fail to progress normally from the optic chiasm into the optic tracts. The underlying cause is unknown but, in principle, can result from either the disruption of guidance mechanisms that mediate axon exit from the midline chiasm region or defects in growth cone signaling required for entry into the lateral diencephalic wall to form the optic tracts. Results here show that, compared to wild-type RGC axons, GAP-43-deficient axons exhibit reduced growth in the presence of lateral diencephalon cell membranes. Reduced growth is not observed when GAP-43-deficient axons are cultured with optic chiasm, cortical, or dorsal midbrain cells. Lateral diencephalon cell conditioned medium inhibits growth of both wild-type and GAP-43-deficient axons to a similar extent and does not affect GAP-43-deficient axons more so. Removal or transplant replacement of the lateral diencephalon optic tract entry zone in GAP-43-deficient embryo preparations results in robust RGC axon exit from the chiasm. Together these data show that RGC axon exit from the midline region does not require GAP-43 function. Instead, GAP-43 appears to mediate RGC axon interaction with guidance cues in the lateral diencephalic wall, suggesting possible involvement of PKC and calmodulin signaling during optic tract formation.     

Antisense GAP-43 Inhibits the Evoked Release of Dopamine from PC12 Cells

Abstract: To investigate the role of the neuronal growth-associated protein GAP-43 (neuromodulin, B-50, F1, P-57) in neurotransmitter release, we transfected PC12 cells with a recombinant expression vector coding for antisense human GAP-43 cRNA. Two stable transfectants, designated AS1 and AS2, were selected that had integrated the recombinant sequence and expressed antisense GAP-43 RNA. Immunoblot analysis of proteins from AS1 and AS2 cells indicated that the level of GAP-43 in these cell lines was reduced. In the presence of extracellular calcium, a depolarizing concentration of K⁺ (56 m M ) evoked dopamine release from control cells, but not from AS1 and AS2 cells. Similarly, the calcium ionophore A23187 evoked dopamine release from control cells, but was ineffective in stimulating dopamine release from AS1 and AS2 cells. The antisense transfectants, as well as the control cells, contained appreciable quantities of dopamine and secretory granules with a normal appearance. Because the expression of antisense GAP-43 RNA in PC12 cells leads to a decrease in GAP-43 expression and to the loss of evoked dopamine release, these results provide evidence of a role for GAP-43 in calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release.     

Specific Proteolysis of Neuronal Protein GAP-43 by Calpain: Characterization,Regulation, and Physiological Role

The mechanism of specific proteolysis of the neuronal protein GAP-43 in axonal terminals has been investigated. In synaptic terminals in vivo and in synaptosomes in vitro GAP-43 is cleaved only at the single peptide bond formed by Ser41; this is within the main effector domain of GAP-43. Proteolysis at this site involves the cysteine calcium-dependent neutral protease calpain. The following experimental evidences support this conclusion: 1) calcium-dependent proteolysis of GAP-43 in synaptosomes is insensitive to selective inhibitor of micro-calpain (PD151746), but it is completely blocked by micro- and m-calpain inhibitor PD150606; 2) GAP-43 proteolysis in the calcium ionophore A23187-treated synaptosomes is activated by millimolar concentration of calcium ions; 3) the pattern of fragmentation of purified GAP-43 by m-calpain (but not by micro-calpain) is identical to that observed in synaptic terminals in vivo. GAP-43 phosphorylated at Ser41 by protein kinase C (PKC) is resistant to the cleavage by calpain. In addition, calmodulin binding to GAP-43 decreases the rate of calpain-mediated GAP-43 proteolysis. Our results indicate that m-calpain-mediated GAP-43 proteolysis regulated by PKC and calmodulin is of physiological relevance, particularly in axonal growth cone guidance. We suggest that the function of the N-terminal fragment of GAP-43 (residues 1-40) formed during cleavage by m-calpain consists in activation of neuronal heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein G(o); this results in growth cone turning in response to repulsive signals.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of GAP-43/neuromodulin reveals the presence of a variety of fatty acylated species

GAP-43 (neuromodulin) is a protein kinase C substrate that is abundant in developing and regenerating neurons. Thioester-linked palmitoylation at two cysteines near the GAP-43 N terminus has been implicated in directing membrane binding. Here, we use mass spectrometry to examine the stoichiometry of palmitoylation and the molecular identity of the fatty acid(s) attached to GAP-43 in vivo. GAP-43 expressed in either PC12 or COS-1 cells was acetylated at the N-terminal methionine. Approximately 35% of the N-terminal GAP-43 peptides were also modified by palmitate and/or stearate on Cys residues. Interestingly, a variety of acylated species was detected, in which one of the Cys residues was acylated by either palmitate or stearate, or both Cys residues were acylated by palmitates or stearates or a combination of palmitate and stearate. Depalmitoylation of membrane-bound GAP-43 did not release the protein from the membrane, implying that additional forces function to maintain membrane binding. Indeed, mutation of four basic residues within the N-terminal domain of GAP-43 dramatically reduced membrane localization of GAP-43 without affecting palmitoylation. These data reveal the heterogeneous nature of S-acylation in vivo and illustrate the power of mass spectrometry for identification of key regulatory protein modifications.     

GAP-43 as a plasticity protein in neuronal form and repair

Neurons exhibit a remarkable plasticity of form, both during neural development and during the subsequent remodelling of synaptic connectivity. Here we review work on GAP-43 and G₀, and focus upon the thesis that their interaction may endow neurons with such plasticity. We also present new data on the role of G proteins in neurite growth, and on the interaction of GAP-43 and actin. GAP-43 is a protein induced during periods of axonal extension and highly enriched on the inner surface of the growth cone membrane. Its membrane localization is primarily due to a short amino terminal sequence which is subject to palmitoylation. Binding to actin filaments may also assist in restricting the protein to specific cellular domains. Consistent with its role as a ?plasticity protein,”? there is evidence that GAP-43 can directly alter cell shape and neurite extension, and several theses have been advanced for how it might do so. Two other prominent components of the growth cone membrane are the α and β subunits of G₀. GAP-43 regulates their guanine nucleotide exchange, which is an unusual role for an intracellular protein. We speculate that GAP-43 may adjust the ?set point”? of responsiveness for G₀ stimulation by receptors, thereby altering the neuronal propensity to growth, without actually causing growth. To begin to address how G protein activity affects axon growth, we have developed a means to introduce guanine nucleotide analogs into sympathetic neurons. Stimulation of G proteins with GTP-γ-S retards axon growth, whereas GDP-β-S enhances it. This is compatible with G protein registration of inhibitory signals. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effects of estrogens on choline-acetyltransferase immunoreactivity and GAP-43 mRNA in the forebrain of young and aging male rats

1. Previous work demonstrated that estradiol (E₂) treatment prevented the abnormal response to stress and the reduction of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in hippocampus from aging male rats. The mechanisms originating these effects were unknown.2. In the present work, we investigated the E₂ effects on the cholinergic, growth-associated protein (GAP-43) expressing neurons of the medial septum (MS) and vertical limb of diagonal band of Broca (VDB). These areas project to the hippocampus, and may be involved in the mentioned E₂ effects in aging animals. Therefore, the response to E₂ of choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT) in neurons and cell processes and GAP-43 mRNA as a marker of neurite outgrowth was studied in young and old male rats.3. Young (3–4 months) and old (18–20 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats remained untreated or were implanted s.c. with a 14 mg pellet of E₂ benzoate during 6 weeks. We used immoucytochemistry to determine ChAT and isotopic in situ hybridization to analyze GAP-43 mRNA expression.4. Aging males showed a reduction in the number and length of ChAT-immunoreactive cell processes, but not in the number of positive neurons in MS and VDB. E₂ reverted both parameters in old rats to levels of young animals. Regarding basal levels of GAP-43 mRNA, they were similar in old and young animals, but E₂ treatment up-regulated GAP-43 mRNA expression in MS and VDB of old animals only.5. Our data suggest that prolonged E₂ treatment may affect hippocampal function of aging male rats by regulating in part the plasticity of cholinergic, GAP-43 expressing neurones of the basal forebrain. Without discarding a direct E₂ effect on the limbic tissue, effects on the cholinergic system may have a pronounced impact on the neuroendocrine and stress responses of the aging hippocampus.     

Enhanced level of site-specific proteolysis of GAP-43 protein during early stages of brain development

GAP-43 protein of nerve terminals (B-50, F1, F57, pp46, neuromodulin) is thought to be one of key proteins involved in the control of outgrowth of neurites, release of neuromediators, synapse plasticity, etc. GAP-43 is usually considered as a whole protein. Along with the intact protein, nerve cells also contain two large native fragments of GAP-43 deprived of four or of about forty N-terminal amino acid residues (GAP-43-2 and GAP-43-3, respectively). The full-length GAP-43 is predominant in the mature brain. However, the ratio of the full-length protein and its fragments can vary under different physiological conditions. Changes in the GAP-43 proteins (the full-length protein and its fragments) were studied during embryonal and postnatal development of rat brain. The GAP-43 proteins were found to be expressed not later than on the 12-13th day of embryogenesis. Then their contents increased, and, until the 10th day after birth, GAP-43-3 dominated rather than the full-length protein. It is suggested that during this period the activity of a specific protease, which cleaves the N-terminal peptide of about 40 residues from the full-length GAP-43 molecule, is increased. The cleavage occurs in the region responsible for the interaction of GAP-43 with calmodulin. In the full-length molecule, this region is responsible also for the recognition of Ser41 residue by protein kinase C during phosphorylation. Another functionally important region that determines, in particular, the attachment of GAP-43 to the plasma membrane is cleaved from the main part of the molecule together with the N-terminal peptide. Thus, the specific fragmentation of GAP-43 that depends on developmental stage should be considered as a controlled structural rearrangement fundamentally affecting the functions of this protein.     

Developmental study of the expression of B50/GAP-43 in rat retina

B50/GAP-43 has been implicated in neural plasticity, development, and regeneration. Several studies of axonally transported proteins in the optic nerve have shown that this protein is synthesized by developing and regenerating retinal ganglion cells in mammals, amphibians, and fish. However, previous studies using immunohistochemistry to localize B50/GAP-43 in retina have shown that this protein is found in the inner plexiform layer in adults. Since the inner plexiform layer contains the processes of amacrine cells, ganglion cells, and bipolar cells to determine which cells in the retina express B50/GAP-43, we have now used in situ hybridization to localize the mRNA that codes for this protein in the developing rat retina. We have found that B50/GAP-43 is expressed primarily by cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer as early as embryonic day 15, and until 3 weeks postnatal. Some cells in the inner nuclear layer, possibly a subclass of amacrine cells, also express B50/GAP-43 protein and mRNA; however, the other retinal neurons–bipolar cells, photoreceptors, and horizontal cells express little, if any, B50/GAP-43 at any stage in their development. Early in development, the protein appears in the somata and axons of ganglion cells, while later in development, B50/GAP-43 becomes concentrated in the inner plexiform layer, where it continues to be expressed in adult animals. These results are discussed in terms of previous proposals as to the functions of this molecule. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Selective conservation of GAP-43 structure in vertebrate evolution

GAP-43 (a.k.a. B-50, F1, pp46, or neuromodulin) is a major growth cone membrane protein whose expression is widely correlated with successful axon elongation, but whose function remains unknown. To distinguish the structural features of GAP-43 most relevant to its cellular functions, we have determined features of the protein that are most highly conserved in vertebrate evolution. Comparison of fish and mammalian GAP-43 distinguishes two domains of the protein. A strictly conserved amino-terminal domain contains the putative site for fatty acylation and membrane attachment, a calmodulin binding domain, and a proposed phosphorylation site. In the much larger carboxy-terminal domain, amino acid composition is strongly conserved without extensive sequence conservation. This amino acid composition predicts an extended, negatively charged rod conformation with some similarity to the side arms of neurofilaments. The results suggest that the biological roles of GAP-43 may depend on an ability to form a dynamic membrane-cytoskeleton-calmodulin complex.     

Identification of brain proteins BASP1 and GAP-43 in mouse oocytes and zygotes

The similarity between the calcium-activated signaling systems of oocytes and neuronal axon terminals has prompted us to test whether BASP1 and GAP-43 proteins, highly expressed in brain neurons, are present in oocytes. Using immunocytochemical techniques combined with confocal microscopy, we have for the first time demonstrated that both BASP1 and GAP-43 are present in mouse metaphase II (MII) oocytes and zygotes. BASP1 is localized to the plasma membrane and actin cortex of MII oocytes, which is similar to BASP1 distribution in neurons and other cell types. GAP-43 is generally regarded as a postmitotic membrane marker of nerve cells; however, GAP-43 in MII oocytes is associated with microtubules of the meiotic spindle. GAP-43 is also colocalized with γ-tubulin at the spindle poles (centrosomes) and at the discrete microtubule- organizing centers in the cytoplasm. The antibodies to Ser41-phosphorylated form of GAP-43 allowed for demonstration that GAP-43 in oocytes is subject to phosphorylation by protein kinase C. The presence of BASP1 and GAP-43 in oocytes is also confirmed by electrophoresis and western blotting. Microinjection of BASP1 (but not GAP-43) into the cytoplasm of mouse MII oocytes induces their exit from metaphase II arrest followed by parthenogenetic embryo development. This suggests putative BASP1 involvement in fertilization-induced oocyte activation, presumably, through regulation of local concentration of polyphosphoinositides in the plasma membrane. Recently it was found that GAP-43 is associated with centrosomes in asymmetrically dividing neuronal progenitors, which is similar to the localization of GAP-43 at the meiotic spindle and centrosomes in oocytes. Therefore we suggest that GAP-43 may be involved in regulation of spindle orientation and oocyte polarity.