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Andreas Jeromin

Publications and source records attributed to Andreas Jeromin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Calcium and chlorpromazine binding to the EF-hand peptides of neuronal calcium sensor-1.

Neuronal calcium sensor-1, a protein of calcium sensor family, is known to have four structural EF-hands. We have synthesised peptides corresponding to all the four EF-hands and studied their conformation and calcium-binding. Our data confirm that the first putative site, a non-canonical one (EF1), does not bind calcium. We have investigated if this lack of binding is due to the presence of non-favoured residues (particularly at +x and -z co-ordinating positions) of the loop. We have mutated these residues and found that after modification the peptides bound calcium. However, these mutated peptides (EF1 and its functional mutants) do not show any Ca(2+) induced changes in far-UV CD. EF2, EF3, and EF4 peptides bind Ca(2+), EF3 being the strongest binder, followed by EF4. Our data of Ca(2+)-binding to individual EF peptides show that there are three active Ca(2+)-binding sites in NCS-1. We have also studied the binding of a neuroleptic drug, chlorpromazine, with the protein as well as with its EF-hands. CPZ binds myristoylated as well as non-myristoylated NCS-1 in Ca(2+)-dependent manner, with dynamic interaction to myristoylated protein. CPZ does not bind to EF1, but binds to functional EF-hand peptides and induces changes in far-UV CD. Our results suggest that NCS-1 could be a target of such antipsychotic and neuroleptic drugs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression and possible role of neuronal calcium sensor-1 in the cerebellum.

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) is a member of EF-hand calcium-binding protein superfamily, which is considered to modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity. In this mini-review, we first summarize distribution of NCS-1 in the cerebellum. NCS-1 is mainly detected in postsynaptic sites, such as somata and dendrites of Purkinje cells, stellate/basket cells and granule cells. In addition, GABAergic inhibitory stellate/basket cell axon terminals also contain NCS-1. Secondly, we describe cerebellar compartmentation defined by NCS-1. The NCS-1 immunostaining displayed characteristic parasagittal-banding pattern in the Purkinje cell layer and molecular layer, whereas there were no apparent bands in the granule cell layer. The alternating positively and negatively NCS-1-labeled Purkinje cell clusters contributed to this cerebellar compartmentation. In contrast, stellate/basket cells were uniformly NCS-1-positive throughout the cerebellum. Interestingly, NCS-1 and zebrin II exhibited a similar parasagittal-banding pattern. But it is noteworthy that NCS-1-negative/zebrin II-positive Purkinje cell clusters were detected selectively in anterior lobule vermis and paraflocculus. These results suggest that NCS-1 defines a novel pattern of cerebellar cortical compartmentation. Lastly, we describe recent data suggesting some relationship between NCS-1 and cerebellar long-term depression-related molecules, and discuss the possible role of NCS-1 in the cerebellum.

Animals↗

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta regulate IgE receptor-triggered exocytosis in cultured mast cells.

We examined the possible occurrence and function of neuronal Ca(2+) sensor 1 (NCS-1/frequenin) in the mast cell line rat basophilic leukemia, RBL-2H3. This protein has been implicated in the control of neurosecretion from dense core granules in neuronal cells as well as in the control of constitutive secretory pathways in both yeast and mammalian cells. We show that RBL-2H3 cells, secretory cells of the immune system, endogenously express the 22-kDa NCS-1 protein as well as an immune-related 50-kDa protein. Both proteins associate in vivo with phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta (PI4Kbeta) and colocalize with the enzyme in the Golgi region. We show further that overexpression of NCS-1 in RBL-2H3 cells stimulates the catalytic activity of PI4Kbeta, increases IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI)-triggered hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P(2)), and stimulates FcepsilonRI-triggered, but not Ca(2+) ionophore-triggered, exocytosis. Conversely, expression of a kinase-dead mutant of PI4Kbeta reduces PI4Kbeta activity, decreases FcepsilonRI-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis, and blocks FcepsilonRI-triggered, but not Ca(2+) ionophore-triggered, exocytosis. Our results indicate that PI(4)P, produced by the Golgi-localized PI4Kbeta, is the rate-limiting factor in the synthesis of the pool of PI(4,5)P(2) that serves as substrate for the generation of lipid-derived second messengers in FcepsilonRI-triggered cells. We conclude that NCS-1 is involved in the control of regulated exocytosis in nonneural cells, where it contributes to stimulus-secretion coupling by interacting with PI4Kbeta and positive regulation of its activity.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

Fluorobodies combine GFP fluorescence with the binding characteristics of antibodies.

The difficulty of deriving binding ligands to targets identified by genomic sequencing has led to a bottleneck in genomic research. By inserting diverse antibody binding loops into four of the exposed loops at one end of green fluorescent protein (GFP), we have mimicked the natural antibody binding footprint to create robust binding ligands that combine the advantages of antibodies (high affinity and specificity) with those of GFP (intrinsic fluorescence, high stability, expression and solubility). These 'fluorobodies' have been used effectively in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), flow cytometry, immuno-fluorescence, arrays and gel shift assays, and show affinities as high as antibodies. Furthermore, the intrinsic fluorescence of fluorobodies correlates with binding activity, allowing the rapid determination of functionality, concentration and affinity. These properties render them especially suitable for the high-throughput genomic scale selections required in proteomics, as well as in diagnostics, target validation and drug development.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Acute changes in short-term plasticity at synapses with elevated levels of neuronal calcium sensor-1.

Short-term synaptic plasticity is a defining feature of neuronal activity, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Depression of synaptic activity might be due to limited vesicle availability, whereas facilitation is thought to result from elevated calcium levels. However, it is unclear whether the strength and direction (facilitation versus depression) of plasticity at a given synapse result from preexisting synaptic strength or whether they are regulated by separate mechanisms. Here we show, in rat hippocampal cell cultures, that increases in the calcium binding protein neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) can switch paired-pulse depression to facilitation without altering basal synaptic transmission or initial neurotransmitter release probability. Facilitation persisted during high-frequency trains of stimulation, indicating that NCS-1 can recruit 'dormant' vesicles. Our results suggest that NCS-1 acts as a calcium sensor for short-term plasticity by facilitating neurotransmitter output independent of initial release. We conclude that separate mechanisms are responsible for determining basal synaptic strength and short-term plasticity.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

A modified Sindbis vector for prolonged gene expression in neurons.

Sindbis viruses have been widely used in neurobiology to express a variety of genes in cultured neurons, in cultured slices, and in vivo. They provide fast onset and high levels of expression of foreign genes, but the expression is limited to a short time window due to a shut-off of host protein synthesis. We have used a mutation in an essential gene (nsP2) of the life cycle of Sindbis, which allows the functional analysis of changes in protein expression for >/=6 days after infection. This Sindbis mutant (nsP2) was used to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in hippocampal neurons in culture and in vivo without any sign of toxicity, based on two-photon imaging and electrophysiology. In addition, the EGFP mutant virus can be injected in vivo to visualize spines and other details of neuronal structure. The Sindbis mutant described here provides an improved tool in neurobiology with reduced cytotoxicity and a prolonged time window of expression for novel applications in imaging and behavior. In addition, the use of this vector for the functional expression of mammalian voltage-gated ion channels in organotypic slices is demonstrated.

Animals↗

Spatiotemporal distribution of neuronal calcium sensor-1 in the developing rat spinal cord.

The present study revealed the localization of neuronal calcium sensor (NCS)-1 immunoreactivity (IR) in the developing rat spinal cord. The NCS-1 IR first appeared at embryonic day 12 in the peripheral nerves and their somata. Intense NCS-1 IR was expressed in ascending and descending tracts in the white matter during the late prenatal period, which gradually decreased to the faint level during postnatal development. Intense NCS-1 IR was colocalized with growth associated protein (GAP)-43 IR in the marginal zone and with the glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) IR in the radial processes traversing the marginal zone. In the adult rat white matter, radially oriented astrocytes and astrocytes in the glia limitans were double-labeled for NCS-1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), whereas small dots on finger-like dendritic projections were double-labeled for NCS-1 and synaptophysin. In the developing gray matter, the NCS-1 IR appeared at embryonic day 12 and gradually increased in the neuronal somata and neuropil, reaching a plateau after the end of the 4th postnatal week. The small dots in neuropil were colabeled for NCS-1 and GFAP or NCS-1 and synaptophysin in the adult rat gray matter. These results strongly suggest that NCS-1 is involved in axogenesis and synaptogenesis in the developing rat spinal cord. NCS-1 can serve as a Ca(2+)-sensor not only in neurons but also in radial glial cells or even in radially oriented astrocytes in the adult rat spinal cord.

Amino Acid Transport System X-AG↗

A novel Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release mechanism in A7r5 cells regulated by calmodulin-like proteins.

Intracellular Ca2+ release is involved in setting up Ca2+ signals in all eukaryotic cells. Here we report that an increase in free Ca2+ concentration triggered the release of up to 41 +/- 3% of the intracellular Ca2+ stores in permeabilized A7r5 (embryonic rat aorta) cells with an EC50 of 700 nm. This type of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) was neither mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors nor by ryanodine receptors, because it was not blocked by heparin, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, xestospongin C, ruthenium red, or ryanodine. ATP dose-dependently stimulated the CICR mechanism, whereas 10 mm MgCl2 abolished it. CICR was not affected by exogenously added calmodulin (CaM), but CaM1234, a Ca2+-insensitive CaM mutant, strongly inhibited the CICR mechanism. Other proteins of the CaM-like neuronal Ca2+-sensor protein family such as Ca2+-binding protein 1 and neuronal Ca2+ sensor-1 were equally potent for inhibiting the CICR. Removal of endogenous CaM, using a CaM-binding peptide derived from the ryanodine receptor type-1 (amino acids 3614-3643) prevented subsequent activation of the CICR mechanism. A similar CICR mechanism was also found in 16HBE14o-(human bronchial mucosa) cells. We conclude that A7r5 and 16HBE14o-cells express a novel type of CICR mechanism that is silent in normal resting conditions due to inhibition by CaM but becomes activated by a Ca2+-dependent dissociation of CaM. This CICR mechanism, which may be regulated by members of the family of neuronal Ca2+-sensor proteins, may provide an additional route for Ca2+ release that could allow amplification of small Ca2+ signals.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Compartmentation of the mouse cerebellar cortex by neuronal calcium sensor-1.

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) is a member of the EF-hand calcium-binding protein superfamily, which is considered to modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity. The detailed distribution of NCS-1 was analyzed in the mouse cerebellar cortex. In coronal sections, the NCS-1 immunostaining displayed characteristic parasagittal banding pattern in the Purkinje cell layer and molecular layer, while there were no apparent bands in the granule cell layer. The alternating positively and negatively NCS-1-labeled Purkinje cell clusters contributed to this cerebellar compartmentation. In contrast, stellate-basket cells were uniformly NCS-1-positive throughout the cerebellum. Immunofluorescent double staining showed that NCS-1 and zebrin II exhibited a similar parasagittal banding pattern. Then, we performed mapping of NCS-1- and/or zebrin II-labeled Purkinje cell somata using seven sequential coronal sections. NCS-1-positive/zebrin II-positive Purkinje cell clusters were seen throughout the cerebellum, but NCS-1-positive/zebrin II-negative Purkinje cells were exceedingly rare. On the other hand, NCS-1-negative/zebrin II-positive Purkinje cell clusters were found in anterior lobule vermis and paraflocculus, whereas they were rarely seen in posterior lobules. The digitized quantitative analysis showed close relationship between NCS-1 and zebrin II immunoreactivity in the molecular layer. The correspondence between NCS-1 and zebrin II demonstrated here indicates a novel anteroposterior difference of cerebellar compartmentation and provides fundamental information of cerebellar organization.

Animals↗

Identification and subcellular localization of neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) in human neutrophils and HL-60 cells.

Secretion in neutrophils is thought to be regulated in different ways for the different granule types. Specific granules are endowed with proteins which are related to docking and fusion events and are absent on azurophilic granules. Furthermore, even if secretion of content from all neutrophil granules is a Ca(2+)-dependent process, a higher concentration of cytosolic calcium is required for azurophilic than for specific granule secretion. In this paper we show that human neutrophils and promyelocitic cells express neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1), a calcium binding protein involved in exocytosis in various cell types. Both mRNA and protein were found in mature cells and precursors. NCS-1 is shown to be mainly associated with azurophilic granules and, therefore could play an instrumental role in the calcium-dependent secretion of azurophilic granules.

Blotting, Western↗

Down-regulation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by neuronal calcium sensor-1 is beta subunit-specific.

Neuronal Ca(2+) sensor protein-1 (NCS-1) is a member of the Ca(2+) binding protein family, with three functional Ca(2+) binding EF-hands and an N-terminal myristoylation site. NCS-1 is expressed in brain and heart during embryonic and postnatal development. In neurons, NCS-1 facilitates neurotransmitter release, but both inhibition and facilitation of the Ca(2+) current amplitude have been reported. In heart, NCS-1 co-immunoprecipitates with K(+) channels and modulates their activity, but the potential effects of NCS-1 on cardiac Ca(2+) channels have not been investigated. To directly assess the effect of NCS-1 on the various types of Ca(2+) channels we have co-expressed NCS-1 in Xenopus oocytes, with Ca(V)1.2, Ca(V)2.1, and Ca(V)2.2 Ca(2+) channels, using various subunit combinations. The major effect of NCS-1 was to decrease Ca(2+) current amplitude, recorded with the three different types of alpha(1) subunit. When expressed with Ca(V)2.1, the depression of Ca(2+) current amplitude induced by NCS-1 was dependent upon the identity of the beta subunit expressed, with no block recorded without beta subunit or with the beta(3) subunit. Current-voltage and inactivation curves were also slightly modified and displayed a different specificity toward the beta subunits. Taken together, these data suggest that NCS-1 is able to modulate cardiac and neuronal voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels in a beta subunit specific manner.

Animals↗

Phosphatidylinositol 4-OH kinase is a downstream target of neuronal calcium sensor-1 in enhancing exocytosis in neuroendocrine cells.

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1), the mammalian orthologue of frequenin, belongs to a family of EF-hand-containing Ca(2+) sensors. NCS-1/frequenin has been shown to enhance synaptic transmission in PC12 cells and Drosophila and Xenopus, respectively. However, the precise molecular mechanism for the enhancement of exocytosis is largely unknown. In PC12 cells, NCS-1 potentiated exocytosis evoked by ATP, an agonist to phospholipase C-linked receptors, but had no effect on depolarization-evoked release. NCS-1 also enhanced exocytosis triggered by ionomycin, a Ca(2+) ionophore that bypasses K(+) and Ca(2+) channels. Overexpression of NCS-1 caused a shift in the dose-response curve of inhibition of ATP-evoked secretion using phenylarsine oxide, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 4-OH kinase (PI4K). Plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate pools were increased upon NCS-1 transfection as visualized using a phospholipase C-delta pleckstrin homology domain-green fluorescent protein construct. NCS-1-transfected cell extracts displayed increased phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate biosynthesis, indicating an increase in PI4K activity. Mutations in NCS-1 equivalent to those that abolish the interaction of recoverin, another EF-hand-containing Ca(2+) sensor, with its downstream target rhodopsin kinase, lost their ability to enhance exocytosis. Taken together, the present data indicate that NCS-1 modulates the activity of PI4K, leading to increased levels of phosphoinositides and concomitant enhancement of exocytosis.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

Neuronal calcium sensor 1 and phosphatidylinositol 4-OH kinase beta interact in neuronal cells and are translocated to membranes during nucleotide-evoked exocytosis.

Neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) belongs to a family of EF-hand calcium-binding proteins and is mainly expressed in neurons and neuroendocrine cells, where it causes facilitation of neurotransmitter release through unknown mechanisms. The yeast homologue of NCS-1 has been demonstrated to interact with and regulate the activity of yeast phosphatidylinositol 4-OH kinase beta (PI4Kbeta). However, in neurons and neurosecretory cells NCS-1 has not unequivocally been shown to interact with PI4Kbeta. Here we have compared the subcellular distribution of NCS-1 and PI4Kbeta and investigated whether they are capable of forming complexes. In neurons, both proteins are widely distributed and are present in perikarya and, to a lesser extent, in nerve terminals. A consistent portion of NCS-1 and PIK4beta is cytosolic, whereas a portion of both proteins appears to be associated with the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. Very small amounts of NCS-1 and PI4Kbeta are present in synaptic vesicles. Our results further demonstrate that in neurosecretory cells, endogenous NCS-1 and PIK4beta interact to form a complex that can be immunoisolated from membrane as well as from cytosolic fractions. Moreover, both proteins can be recruited to membranes when cells are treated with nucleotide receptor agonists known to increase polyphosphoinositide turnover and concomitantly induce exocytosis of secretory vesicles. Finally, in PC12 cells overexpressing NCS-1, the amount of PI4Kbeta associated with the membranes is increased concomitantly with the increased levels of NCS-1 detected in the same membrane fractions. Together, these findings demonstrate that mammalian NCS-1 and PI4Kbeta interact under physiological conditions, which suggest a possible role for NCS-1 in the translocation of PI4Kbeta to target membranes.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

Differential expression of neuronal calcium sensor-1 in the developing chick retina.

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) is a Ca(2+) binding protein that has been implicated in the regulation of neurotransmission and synaptogenesis. In this study we investigated the developmental expression and localization of NCS-1 in the chick retina. Single- and double-labeling experiments with three-dimensional reconstruction as well as ultrastructural data of the distribution of NCS-1 suggest that this protein is also involved in axonal process outgrowth. We found an early expression of NCS-1 in ganglion cells and their axons, in amacrine, and in horizontal cells, whereas photoreceptors were immunonegative at embryonic stages. In the early posthatching days we found strong immunostaining for NCS-1 in horizontal cells and their processes in the outer plexiform layer. In contrast, synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2) was prominent only in photoreceptor synaptic terminals. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed that NCS-1 was localized postsynaptically in horizontal cell processes, whereas presynaptic terminals were immunonegative. However, at late posthatching days we observed that photoreceptor ribbon synapses (from rods and/or cones) also expressed NCS-1. Thus the results support the notion that NCS-1 is involved in neuronal process outgrowth and is localized in pre- and postsynaptic compartments including mature photoreceptor synapses.

Animals↗

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 binds to regulated secretory organelles and functions in basal and stimulated exocytosis in PC12 cells.

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) and its non-mammalian homologue, frequenin, have been implicated in a spectrum of cellular processes, including regulation of stimulated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles and secretory granules (SGs) in neurons and neuroendocrine cells and regulation of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta activity in yeast. However, apart from these intriguing putative functions, NCS-1 and frequenin are relatively poorly understood. Here, the distribution, dynamics and function of NCS-1 were studied using PC12 cells that stably express NCS-1-EYFP (NCS-1 fused to enhanced yellow fluorescent protein) or that stably overexpress NCS-1. Fluorescence and electron microscopies show that NCS-1-EYFP is absent from SGs but is present on small clear organelles, some of which are just below the plasma membrane. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy shows that NCS-1-EYFP is associated with synaptic-like microvesicles (SLMVs) in growth cones. Overexpression studies show that NCS-1 enhances exocytosis of synaptotagmin-labeled regulated secretory organelles (RSOs) under basal conditions and during stimulation by UTP. Significantly, these studies implicate NCS-1 in the enhancement of both basal and stimulated phosphoinositide-dependent exocytosis of RSOs in PC12 cells, and they show that NCS-1 is distributed strategically to interact with putative targets on the plasma membrane and on SLMVs. These studies also reveal that SLMVs undergo both fast directed motion and highly hindered diffusive motion in growth cones, suggesting that cytoskeletal constituents can both facilitate and hinder SLMV motion. These results also reveal interesting similarities and differences between transport organelles in differentiated neuroendocrine cells and neurons.

Animals↗

Mechanisms underlying the neuronal calcium sensor-1-evoked enhancement of exocytosis in PC12 cells.

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) or the originally identified homologue frequenin belongs to a superfamily of EF-hand calcium binding proteins. Although NCS-1 is thought to enhance synaptic efficacy or exocytosis mainly by activating ion channel function, the detailed molecular basis for the enhancement is still a matter of debate. Here, mechanisms underlying the NCS-1-evoked enhancement of exocytosis were investigated using PC12 cells overexpressing NCS-1. NCS-1 was found to have a broad distribution in the cells being partially distributed in the cytosol and associated to vesicles and tubular-like structures. Biochemical and immunohistochemical studies indicated that NCS-1 partially colocalized with the light synaptic vesicle marker synaptophysin. When stimulated with UTP or bradykinin, agonists to phospholipase C-linked receptors, NCS-1 enhanced the agonist-mediated elementary and global Ca2+ signaling and increased the levels of downstream signals of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase. NCS-1 enhanced the UTP-evoked exocytosis but not the depolarization-evoked Ca2+ responses or exocytosis, suggesting that the enhancement by NCS-1 should involve phospholipase C-linked receptor-mediated signals rather than the Ca2+ channels or exocytotic machinery per se. Taken together, NCS-1 enhances phosphoinositide turnover, resulting in enhancement of Ca2+ signaling and exocytosis. This is a novel regulatory mechanism of exocytosis that might involve the activation of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase.

Animals↗

NCS-1 inhibits insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in 3T3L1 adipocytes through a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase-dependent pathway.

Expression of NCS-1 (neuronal calcium sensor-1, also termed frequenin) in 3T3L1 adipocytes strongly inhibited insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT4 and insulin-responsive aminopeptidase. The effect of NCS-1 was specific for GLUT4 and the insulin-responsive aminopeptidase translocation as there was no effect on the trafficking of the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor or the GLUT1 glucose transporter isoform. Moreover, NCS-1 showed partial colocalization with GLUT4-EGFP in the perinuclear region. The inhibitory action of NCS-1 was independent of calcium sequestration since neither treatment with ionomycin nor endothelin-1, both of which elevated the intracellular calcium concentration, restored insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. Furthermore, NCS-1 did not alter the insulin-stimulated protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) phosphorylation or the recruitment of Cbl to the plasma membrane. In contrast, expression of the NCS-1 effector phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI 4-kinase) inhibited insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, whereas co-transfection with an inactive PI 4-kinase mutant prevented the NCS-1-induced inhibition. These data demonstrate that PI 4-kinase functions to negatively regulate GLUT4 translocation through its interaction with NCS-1.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗