Co-expression of vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1 and VGLUT2) and their association with synaptic-like microvesicles in rat pinealocytes.
A vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) is responsible for the accumulation of l-glutamate in synaptic vesicles in glutamatergic neurons. Two isoforms, VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, have been identified, which are complementarily expressed in these neurons. Mammalian pinealocytes, endocrine cells for melatonin, are also glutamatergic in nature, accumulate l-glutamate in synaptic-like microvesicles (SLMVs), and secrete it through exocytosis. Although the storage of l-glutamate in SLMVs is mediated through a VGLUT, the molecular nature of the transporter is less understood. We recently observed that VGLUT2 is expressed in pinealocytes. In the present study, we show that pinealocytes also express VGLUT1. RT-PCR and northern blot analyses indicated expression of the VGLUT1 gene in pineal gland. Western blotting with specific antibodies against VGLUT1 indicated the presence of VGLUT1 in pineal gland. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with a section of pineal gland and cultured cells indicated that VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are co-localized with process terminal regions of pinealocytes. Furthermore, immunoelectronmicroscopy as well as subcellular fractionation studies revealed that both VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are specifically associated with SLMVs. These results indicate that both VGLUTs are responsible for storage of l-glutamate in SLMVs in pinealocytes. Pinealocytes are the first exception as to complementary expression of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2.
Morimoto
Riyo
R
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Japan. moriyama@pheasant.pharm.okayama-u.ac.jp
Hayashi
Mitsuko
M
Yatsushiro
Shouki
S
Otsuka
Masato
M
Yamamoto
Akitsugu
A
Moriyama
Yoshinori
Y
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D050598:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1; D050599:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C493475:Slc17a6 protein, rat; C493466:Slc17a7 protein, rat; D016708:Synaptophysin; D050598:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 1; D050599:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; D018698:Glutamic Acid