title: Tubulin is the target binding site for NAP-related peptides: ADNF-9, D-NAP, and D-SAL.
abstract: The authors set out to investigate whether NAP-related peptides interact with tubulin at a NAP binding site. Previous studies have shown that the neuroprotective peptide NAP binds to tubulin. As NAP (NAPVSIPQ) shares structural similarities with ADNF-9 (SALLRSIPA), and the all-D-enantiomers, D-NAP and D-SAL, it was hypothesized that all of these peptides compete with NAP-tubulin binding. Using NAP affinity column and extracts from newborn rat brain (cerebral cortex), we now show that the above-mentioned peptides compete with NAP binding to tubulin. The identification of tubulin as a target binding site for NAP-related peptides explains, in part, the broad neuroprotective activity offered by these potent peptides.
authors.affiliation: Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Miri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holtser-Cochav
authors.forename: Inna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Divinski
authors.forename: Illana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gozes
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001665:Binding Sites; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D014404:Tubulin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010455:Peptides; D014404:Tubulin; C425904:davunetide