Deranged hypothetical proteins Rik protein, Nit protein 2 and mitochondrial inner membrane protein, Mitofilin, in fetal Down syndrome brain.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic disorder with mental retardation and a host of deranged proteins has already been described. Protein hunting leads to rapid accumulation of aberrant proteins and proteomics methods not only allow unambiguous identification of proteins, they are also a powerful tools to identify new or predicted proteins. We applied two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with in-gel digestion of proteins and subsequent MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometrical identification and quantification of spots using specific software on cortical brain samples from 7 controls and 7 samples from fetal DS at the early second trimester. Nine hypothetical proteins were identified: three of them (4833418L03Rik protein Q9D614, mitochondrial inner membrane protein Q16891 and Nit protein 2 Q8WUF0) were significantly and about doublefold reduced in fetal DS brain. Hypothetical proteins CGI 99, FLJ10463, 70 kDa WD-repeat tumor rejection antigen homolog, KSRP, Hypothetical protein 49.6 kDa and Elongin A were comparable between groups. Domain analysis of deranged structures revealed a t_SNARE domain for the Rik protein, indicating involvement of this protein in the exocytotic-synaptic machinery impaired in DS, a CN hydrolase domain for Nit protein 2, possibly reflecting aberrant nitrilase-related metabolism and handling and an inner mitochondrial protein, extending knowledge on the mitochondrial deficit in in fetal DS early in life.     

Proteome analysis in hippocampus of mice overexpressing human Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase 1

Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), encoded on chromosome 21, is a key enzyme in metabolism of oxygen free radicals and oxidative stress. Transgenic mice overexpressing human SOD1 (Tg-hSOD1) are useful model for Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It was shown recently that Tg-hSOD1 mice develop a characteristic set of neurodegenerative changes in hippocampus and we therefore decided to study differential protein expression patterns, constructing a mouse hippocampal proteome map using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) with in-gel digestion of spots followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) identification and quantitatively compared protein profiles between non-transgenic mice, hemizygous and homozygous Tg-hSOD1 mice. In total 1056 spots were analysed, resulting in the identification of 445 polypeptides that were the products of 157 different genes. Among these a series of proteins involved in scaffolding, metabolism, signaling and other functions were deranged. Our findings suggest that overexpressed SOD1 directly or by generating reactive oxygen species may lead to aberrant protein expressional patterns that in turn may lead to or reflect neurodegeneration observed in this animal model.     

Comparison of fluorescent labels for oligosaccharides and introduction of a new postlabeling purification method

Labeling of oligosaccharides with fluorescent dyes is the prerequisite for their sensitive analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this work, we present a fast new postlabeling cleanup procedure that requires no device other than the reaction vial itself. The procedure can be applied to essentially all labeling reagents. We also compare the performance of 15 different labels for N-glycan analysis in various analytical procedures. We took special care to prevent obscuring influences from incomplete derivatization and signal quenching by impurities. Procainamide emerged as more sensitive than anthranilic acid for normal-phase HPLC, but its chromatographic performance was not convincing. 2-Aminopyridine was the label with the lowest retention on reversed-phase and graphitic carbon columns and, thus, appears to be most suitable for glycan fractionation by multidimensional HPLC. Most glycan derivatives performed better than native sugars in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and electrospray ionization-MS (ESI-MS), but the gain was small and hardly sufficient to compensate for sample loss during preparation.     

Hippocampal lipids linked to spatial memory in the C57BL/6J mouse

Although the role of individual brain lipids for learning and memory has been reported, no systematic approach associating brain lipids with spatial memory has been carried out. It was therefore the aim of the study to determine brain lipids in hippocampus of mice forming and yoked controls that did not form spatial memory using the probe trial as the endpoint. 10 animals were trained in the Morris water maze (MWM) and 10 mice were serving as yoked controls i.e. no platform was used during the whole experiment. Hippocampal tissue lipids were extracted and data were acquired with Fourier transformation ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (LTQ-FT) coupled to HPLC. Glycerophosphatidylethanolamines (18:0/22:6, 18:0/20:4 and 18:1/18:1), plasmalogens (16:0-10/22:6 and 18:0-10/22:6) and ceramides (18:0) showed higher levels in the trained group, while glycerolysophosphatidylcholines (16:0, 18:1, 18:0, 20:4), sphingomyelins (16:0, 24:1), ether linked glycerophosphatidylcholines (16:0-10/18:0), glycerophosphatidylcholines (16:0/18:1, 16:0/18:0, 18:0/18:1, 38:7, 18:1/20:1, 20:4/20:4, 22:1/18:1, 22:0/18:1, 20:4/22:6, 22:6/22:6), glucosylceramide (24:1) and plasmalogen (18:0-10/20:1) revealed lower levels in the trained group. Decreased levels of certain species of lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, plasmenylphosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylcholine, glycosylceramide and plasmalogen at the probe trial for spatial memory may indicate catabolism in terms of consumption during this process. Increased hippocampal levels of long chain highly unsaturated phosphatidylethanolamines, plasmalogens and ceramides may reflect increased synthesis or decreased degradation at the endpoint of memory testing, probably representing interactions in the brain lipid pathways. The study shows pathways involved in spatial memory, may propose the use of individual brain lipids as probable cognitive enhancers and forms the basis for further studies on the role of brain lipids per se.     

Mass spectrometrical analysis of cuticular proteins from the wing of Hebemoia glaucippe (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Although several insect cuticular genes and proteins are annotated and an arthropod cuticular database is available, mass spectrometrical data on cuticular proteins and their post-translational modifications are limited. Wings from Hebemoia glaucippe were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy or homogenized, proteins were extracted and run on 2DE. In-gel digestion was carried out by using trypsin, chymotrypsin and Asp-N and subsequently the resulting peptides and post-translational modifications were identified by ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS; HCT). A complex wing skeleton and the cuticle of H. glaucippe were demonstrated. Cuticle protein 18.6, isoform A, pupal cuticle protein, cuticular protein CPR59A and two putative proteins, putative cuticular protein B2DBJ and putative cuticle protein CPG31 with two expression forms were identified. Two phosphorylation sites on the same peptide, T213 and S214, were identified on putative cuticle protein CPG31, quinone formation was observed at Y76 on cuticular protein CPR59A probably indicating the presence of post-translational modifications. The results may be relevant for the interpretation of mechanoelastic and physical properties of these proteins. Along with the extraordinary architecture the proteinaceous matrix is probably representing or allowing the unusual aerodynamic function of the butterfly wing. Moreover, the results may be important for mechanisms of insecticide and drought resistance.     

Strain-independent global effect of hippocampal proteins in mice trained in the Morris water maze

A series of individual proteins have been linked to performance in the Morris water maze (MWM) but no global effects have been reported. It was therefore the aim of the study to show which proteins were strain-independent, global factors for training in the MWM. Strains C57BL/6J, apodemus sylvaticus and PWD/PhJ were used. MWM and gels from trained animals were from a previous own study and corresponding yoked groups were generated. Hippocampal proteins were extracted and run on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Spots with different expressional levels between trained and yoked groups were punched and identified by mass spectrometry (nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS, ion trap). Two-way ANOVA with two factors (strain and training) was carried out and a Bonferroni test was used to compare groups. 12 proteins from several pathways and cascades showed different levels in trained mice versus corresponding yoked animals in all strains tested. Four out of these proteins were verified by immunoblotting: beta-synuclein, profilin 2, nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (NME1) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 3. Four proteins verified by immunoblotting could be shown to be involved in training in the MWM as a global effect, independent of the strain tested.     

Hippocampal polyamine levels and transglutaminase activity are paralleling spatial memory retrieval in the C57BL/6J mouse

Although a potential role for polyamines and transglutaminases (TGs) in memory mechanisms have been proposed, hippocampal spermine (SPM) and spermidine (SPD) levels as well as transamidating activity of TG in spatial memory have not been addressed yet. It was therefore the aim of the study to assess hippocampal polyamines and TG activity at the probe trial in a spatial memory paradigm. C57BL/6J mice (20 animals per group) were used for the experiments and divided into a trained and a yoked (untrained) group. The Morris water maze (MWM) was selected as the memory test, animals were sacrificed within 5 min following the probe trial and hippocampi were taken for biochemical analysis. SPD and SPM levels were assessed by an analytical procedure according to Gismondi et al. Transamidating activity of TG was determined following the method described by Chung and Folk using [14C] methylamine as substrate. γ-(Glutamyl)-polyamine levels were evaluated by ion exchange chromatography according to Folk et al. Animals learned the task in the MWM as latencies and pathlengths were significantly reduced. At the probe trial mice showed significantly higher preference for the target quadrant. Free SPD and SPM levels were manifold decreased in the trained as compared to the yoked group. Transamidating activity of TG was fourfold increased in trained as compared to yoked controls. γ-(Glutamyl)-SPD was comparable while γ-(glutamyl)-SPM was significantly higher in the trained group. The findings show a potential role for polyamines, their derivative γ-(glutamyl)-SPM and transamidating activity of TG at memory retrieval or formation. Results from this study are extending and knowledge on polyamines and report for the first time involvement of γ-(glutamyl)-SPM and transamidating activity of TG that may form the basis for future neurochemical and pharmacological studies and indeed, modulation of polyamine and TG activity has been already proposed as a tentative therapeutical concept.