Dynein light chain regulates axonal trafficking and synaptic levels of Bassoon

J Cell Biol. 2009 Apr 20;185(2):341-55. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200807155.

Abstract

Bassoon and the related protein Piccolo are core components of the presynaptic cytomatrix at the active zone of neurotransmitter release. They are transported on Golgi-derived membranous organelles, called Piccolo-Bassoon transport vesicles (PTVs), from the neuronal soma to distal axonal locations, where they participate in assembling new synapses. Despite their net anterograde transport, PTVs move in both directions within the axon. How PTVs are linked to retrograde motors and the functional significance of their bidirectional transport are unclear. In this study, we report the direct interaction of Bassoon with dynein light chains (DLCs) DLC1 and DLC2, which potentially link PTVs to dynein and myosin V motor complexes. We demonstrate that Bassoon functions as a cargo adapter for retrograde transport and that disruption of the Bassoon-DLC interactions leads to impaired trafficking of Bassoon in neurons and affects the distribution of Bassoon and Piccolo among synapses. These findings reveal a novel function for Bassoon in trafficking and synaptic delivery of active zone material.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Axonal Transport / physiology*
  • Axons / metabolism*
  • COS Cells
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dyneins / genetics
  • Dyneins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Myosin Type V / genetics
  • Myosin Type V / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism
  • Transport Vesicles / metabolism
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Bsn protein, rat
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Pclo protein, rat
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Myosin Type V
  • Dyneins