Synaptoporin, a novel putative channel protein of synaptic vesicles.
By homology screening of a rat brain library, we have isolated cDNAs that encode a novel member of the synaptophysin/connexin channel protein superfamily. The deduced protein, named synaptoporin, displays 58% amino acid identity to synaptophysin, with highly conserved transmembrane segments, but a divergent cytoplasmic tail. Northern blot analysis and PCR amplification of RNA from different rat tissues indicate expression of synaptoporin transcripts in the CNS. Antibodies against a synthetic peptide or a fusion construct encompassing the cytoplasmic tail region of synaptoporin detect a polypeptide of 37 kd that copurifies with small synaptic vesicles. Our data suggest the existence of a family of vesicular channel proteins whose members may be differently distributed among synaptic vesicle subpopulations.
Knaus
P
P
ZMBH, University of Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Marquèze-Pouey
B
B
Scherer
H
H
Betz
H
H
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D016708:Synaptophysin; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016708:Synaptophysin; C504262:Synpr protein, rat; D004247:DNA