Characterization of presynaptic proteins involved in synaptic vesicle exocytosis in the nervous system of Torpedo marmorata

Neuroscience. 1997 Jul;79(1):285-94. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4522(96)00682-3.

Abstract

Synaptobrevin, SNAP-25 and syntaxin (SNAP receptor proteins) are molecular components that play a key role in the exocytotic machinery of synaptic vesicles. Their presence, distribution and interactions are reported in central and peripheral nervous systems of the electric fish Torpedo marmorata. These three proteins form a protein complex in all the nervous system regions tested, including the electric lobe and the electric organ which is innervated by pure cholinergic nerve terminals. Immunoblot analysis revealed a double protein pattern of SNAP-25 in the anterior brain and cerebellum, although a single protein band corresponding to SNAP-25 was observed in the electromotor system. Moreover, SNAP-25 showed a differential distribution in the electromotor system. It was present along nerve fibres and terminals that innervated the electric organ but it was not detected in nerve terminals at the electric lobe. Immunoisolation experiments using anti-synaptobrevin antibodies showed a tissue-specific co-existence of SNAP-25 and syntaxin with synaptobrevin in the immunoisolated organelles. In conclusion, the molecular components of the exocytotic machinery are shown to be conserved in Torpedo, although some differences mainly on SNAP-25, suggest a potential diversity in the regulation of neurosecretion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Cerebellum / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology
  • Electric Organ / physiology*
  • Exocytosis
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prosencephalon / physiology
  • Qa-SNARE Proteins
  • R-SNARE Proteins
  • Rats
  • Synaptic Vesicles / physiology*
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25
  • Synaptosomes / physiology*
  • Torpedo

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Qa-SNARE Proteins
  • R-SNARE Proteins
  • Snap25 protein, rat
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25