Identification of synaptophysin as a hexameric channel protein of the synaptic vesicle membrane.
The quaternary structure and functional properties of synaptophysin, a major integral membrane protein of small presynaptic vesicles, were investigated. Cross-linking and sedimentation studies indicate that synaptophysin is a hexameric homo-oligomer, which in electron micrographs exhibits structural features common to channel-forming proteins. On reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers, purified synaptophysin displays voltage-sensitive channel activity with an average conductance of about 150 picosiemens. Because specific channels and fusion pores have been implicated in vesicular uptake and release of secretory compounds, synaptophysin may have a role in these processes.
Thomas
L
L
Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie, Universität Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Hartung
K
K
Langosch
D
D
Rehm
H
H
Bamberg
E
E
Franke
W W
WW
Betz
H
H
D000818:Animals; D017630:Connexins; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011510:Proteolipids; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016708:Synaptophysin
D017630:Connexins; D007473:Ion Channels; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011510:Proteolipids; D016708:Synaptophysin; C020485:proteoliposomes