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Biomedical subjects

N Hirokawa

Publications and source records attributed to N Hirokawa.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Polarity orientation and assembly process of microtubule bundles in nocodazole-treated, MAP2c-transfected COS cells.

Microtubule bundles reminiscent of those found in neuronal processes are formed in fibroblasts and Sf9 cells that are transfected with the microtubule-associated proteins tau, MAP2, or MAP2c. To analyze the assembly process of these bundles and its relation to the microtubule polarity, we depolymerized the bundles formed in MAP2c-transfected COS cells using nocodazole, and observed the process of assembly of microtubule bundles after removal of the drug in cells microinjected with rhodamine-labeled tubulin. Within minutes of its removal, numerous short microtubule fragments were observed throughout the cytoplasm. These short fragments were randomly oriented and were already bundled. Somewhat longer, but still short bundles, were then found in the peripheral cytoplasm. These bundles became the primordium of the larger bundles, and gradually grew in length and width. The polarity orientation of microtubules in the reformed bundle as determined by "hook" procedure using electron microscope was uniform with the plus end distal to the cell nucleus. The results suggest that some mechanism(s) exists to orient the polarity of microtubules, which are not in direct continuity with the centrosome, during the formation of large bundles. The observed process presents a useful model system for studying the organization of microtubules that are not directly associated with the centrosomes, such as those observed in axons.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Identification and molecular evolution of new dynein-like protein sequences in rat brain.

RT-PCR cloning was performed to find unknown members of the dynein superfamily expressed in rat brain. Six kinds of degenerate primers designed for the dynein catalytic domain consensuses were used for extensive PCR amplifications. We have sequenced 550 plasmid clones which turned out to include 13 kinds of new dynein-like sequences (DLP1-8, 9A/B, 10-12) and cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain. In these clones, alternative splicing was detected for a 105 nt-domain containing the CFDEFNRI consensus just downstream of the most N-terminal P-loop (DLP9A and 9B). By using these obtained sequences, initial hybridization studies were performed. Genomic Southern blotting showed each sequence corresponds to a single copy of the gene, while northern blotting of adult brain presented more than one band for some subtypes. We further accomplished molecular evolutionary analysis to recognize their phylogenetic origins for the axonemal and non-axonemal (cytoplasmic) functions. Different methods (UPGMA, NJ and MP) presented well coincident phylogenetic trees from 44 partial amino acid sequences of dynein heavy chain from various eukaryotes. The trunk for all the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain homologues diverged directly from the root of the phylogenetic tree, suggesting that the first dynein gene duplication defined two distinct functions as respective subfamilies. Of particular interest, we found a duplication event of the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain gene giving rise to another subtype, DLP4, located between the divergence of yeast and that of Dictyostelium. Such evolutionary topology builds up an inceptive hypothesis that there are at least two non-axonemal dynein heavy chains in mammals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

The activation of protein kinase A pathway selectively inhibits anterograde axonal transport of vesicles but not mitochondria transport or retrograde transport in vivo.

To shed light on how axonal transport is regulated, we examined the possible roles of protein kinase A (PKA) in vivo suggested by our previous work (Sato-Yoshitake et al., 1992). Pharmacological probes or the purified catalytic subunit of PKA were applied to the permeabilized-reactivated model of crayfish walking leg giant axon, and the effect was monitored by the quantitative video-enhanced light microscopy and the quantitative electron microscopy. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP caused concentration-dependent transient reduction in the number of anterogradely transported small vesicles, while the retrogradely transported organelles and anterogradely transported mitochondria showed no decrease. This transient selective inhibition of anterograde vesicle transport was reversed by the application of a specific inhibitor of PKA (KT5720) in a concentration-dependent manner, and was reproduced by the application of the purified catalytic subunit of PKA and augmented by the application of adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S). Corresponding biochemical study showed that several axoplasmic proteins including kinesin were specifically phosphorylated by the activation of the PKA pathway. These findings suggest the possible roles of PKA in the regulation of the direction of the axonal transport in vivo. The finding that only vesicle transport but not mitochondria transport was inhibited also suggests that the transport of vesicles and that of mitochondria are differently regulated and might be supported by different motors.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1994

KIF1B, a novel microtubule plus end-directed monomeric motor protein for transport of mitochondria.

To further elucidate the mechanism of organelle transport, we cloned a novel member of the mouse kinesin superfamily, KIF1B. This N-terminal-type motor protein is expressed ubiquitously in various kinds of tissues. In situ hybridization revealed that KIF1B is expressed abundantly in differentiated nerve cells. Interestingly, K1F1B works as a monomer, having a microtubule plus end-directed motility. Our rotary shadowing electron microscopy revealed mostly single globular structures. Immunocytochemically, KIF1B was colocalized with mitochondria in vivo. Furthermore, a subcellular fractionation study showed that KIF1B was concentrated in the mitochondrial fraction, and purified K1F1B could transport mitochondria along microtubules in vitro. These data strongly suggested that KIF1B works as a monomeric motor for anterograde transport of mitochondria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

A complex of GRB2-dynamin binds to tyrosine-phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 after insulin treatment.

Insulin drives the formation of a complex between tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1 and SH2-containing proteins. The SH2-containing protein Grb2 also possesses adjacent SH3 domains, which bind the Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor Sos. In this report, we examined the involvement of another SH3 binding protein, dynamin, in insulin signal transduction. SH3 domains of Grb2 as GST fusion proteins bound dynamin from lysates of CHO cells expressing wild-type insulin receptor (IR) (CHO-IR cells) in a cell-free system (in vitro). Immunoprecipitation studies using specific antibodies against Grb2 revealed that Grb2 was co-immunoprecipitated with dynamin from unstimulated CHO-IR cells. After insulin treatment of CHO-IR cells, anti-dynamin antibodies co-immunoprecipitated the IR beta-subunit and IRS-1, as tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins and PI 3-kinase activity. However, purified rat brain dynamin did not bind directly to either the IR, IRS-1 or the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase in vitro. Together, these results suggest that in CHO-IR cells, insulin stimulates the binding of dynamin to tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-1 via Grb2 and that IRS-1 also associates with PI 3-kinase in response to insulin. This complex formation was reconstituted in vitro using recombinant baculovirus-expressed IRS-1, GST-Grb2 fusion proteins and dynamin peptides containing proline-rich sequences. Furthermore, dynamin GTPase activity was found to be stimulated when an IRS-1-derived phosphopeptide, containing the Grb2 binding site, was added to the dynamin-Grb2 complex in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1994

Altered microtubule organization in small-calibre axons of mice lacking tau protein.

The tau gene encodes a protein (Tau) that is a major neuronal microtubule-associated protein localized mostly in axons. It has microtubule-binding and tubulin-polymerizing activity in vitro and is thought to make short crossbridges between axonal microtubules. Further, tau-transfected non-neuronal cells extend long axon-like processes in which microtubule bundles resembling those in axons are formed. In contrast, tau antisense oligonucleotides selectively suppress axonal elongation in cultured neurons. Thus tau is thought to be essential for neuronal cell morphogenesis, especially axonal elongation and maintenance. To test this hypothesis, we used gene targeting to produce mice lacking the tau gene. We show that the nervous system of tau-deficient mice appears to be normal immunohistologically. Furthermore, axonal elongation is not affected in cultured neurons. But in some small-calibre axons, microtubule stability is decreased and microtubule organization is significantly changed. We observed an increase in microtubule-associated protein 1A which may compensate for the functions of tau in large-calibre axons. Our results argue against the suggested role of tau in axonal elongation but confirm that it is crucial in the stabilization and organization of axonal microtubules in a certain type of axon.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Association of Ash/Grb-2 with dynamin through the Src homology 3 domain.

Ash/Grb-2 is an adaptor protein composed only of Src homology (SH) 2 and SH3 domains that is considered to be essential for Ras activation. To clarify the downstream of Ash signaling, we investigated Ash-bound proteins. Ash-glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins were used to affinity-purify proteins bound to Ash. We found 180-, 150-, 100-, and 70-kDa proteins bound to GST-Ash, among which the 100 kDa protein was found to be dynamin by amino acid sequencing and Western blot with anti-dynamin antibody. Next, the in vitro and in vivo associations between Ash and dynamin were examined using PC12 cells. Dynamin in PC12 cell lysates bound to GST-Ash independent of NGF treatment. Also, Ash and dynamin co-precipitated when cell lysates of PC12 were immunoprecipitated with anti-Ash antibody or anti-dynamin antibody. Using various GST-Ash constructs, we studied the importance of the individual domains in binding and found that the SH3 domain is necessary for binding. This binding was inhibited by a synthetic peptide (GPPQVPSRPNRC, amino acids 827-838 in dynamin). These data show that Ash SH3 domains bind to the proline-rich region of dynamin. Considering the function of dynamin in membrane trafficking, Ash may regulate endocytosis in addition to Ras activation.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed1994

Competition between motor molecules (kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein) and fibrous microtubule-associated proteins in binding to microtubules.

In neuronal cells, microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) can be classified into two distinct groups. One consists of force-producing MAPs, the main components of which are kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein. The other is composed of fibrous MAPs, which include tau and MAP2. Many studies have been performed on the respective groups to understand their structures and functions. However, the problem of how the groups interact with each other on microtubules is still unresolved. To elucidate the interaction between kinesin or cytoplasmic dynein and tau or MAP2, we performed three experiments: competition, motility assay, and cosedimentation. To distinguish whether the binding competition is caused by steric hindrance of the projection domains of MAPs or by the competition of the binding sites on microtubules, we used microtubule binding domains of tau and MAP2 as well as native proteins. Our results revealed that kinesin or cytoplasmic dynein and tau or MAP2 complete for almost the same binding domains located on the carboxyl-terminal side of alpha- and the amino-terminal side of beta-tubulin from the site of subtilisin cleavage. Furthermore, the projection of tau, and probably of MAP2, might inhibit the binding of kinesin or cytoplasmic dynein to microtubules by steric hindrance. These findings will provide a useful step toward understanding the regulation system of intracellular organelle transport.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Microtubule organization and dynamics dependent on microtubule-associated proteins.

High-resolution microscopic analysis has precisely revealed the control of microtubule dynamics by individual microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in vitro. Furthermore, transfection of MAP cDNA into fibroblasts and subsequent analysis using microinjection of caged fluorescein-labeled tubulin and photoactivation have enabled the function of MAPs in microtubule dynamics to be studied in detail in vivo. Systematic, quantitative studies using transfection of various kinds of MAP cDNA deletion mutants have demonstrated the complex mechanism for microtubule bundling in vivo, and have shown the involvement in microtubule bundling of both microtubule binding and projection regions of MAPs. A similar approach, combined with detailed structural analysis, has indicated clearly that differences in the amino-terminal projection region of MAPs can determine differential organization of MT bundles, and thus influence the characteristic organization of microtubule domains in dendrites and axons.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

KIF3A is a new microtubule-based anterograde motor in the nerve axon.

Neurons are highly polarized cells composed of dendrites, cell bodies, and long axons. Because of the lack of protein synthesis machinery in axons, materials required in axons and synapses have to be transported down the axons after synthesis in the cell body. Fast anterograde transport conveys different kinds of membranous organelles such as mitochondria and precursors of synaptic vesicles and axonal membranes, while organelles such as endosomes and autophagic prelysosomal organelles are conveyed retrogradely. Although kinesin and dynein have been identified as good candidates for microtubule-based anterograde and retrograde transporters, respectively, the existence of other motors for performing these complex axonal transports seems quite likely. Here we characterized a new member of the kinesin super-family, KIF3A (50-nm rod with globular head and tail), and found that it is localized in neurons, associated with membrane organelle fractions, and accumulates with anterogradely moving membrane organelles after ligation of peripheral nerves. Furthermore, native KIF3A (a complex of 80/85 KIF3A heavy chain and a 95-kD polypeptide) revealed microtubule gliding activity and baculovirus-expressed KIF3A heavy chain demonstrated microtubule plus end-directed (anterograde) motility in vitro. These findings strongly suggest that KIF3A is a new motor protein for the anterograde fast axonal transport.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Differential dynamics of neurofilament-H protein and neurofilament-L protein in neurons.

Neurofilaments (NFs) are composed of triplet proteins, NF-H, NF-M, and NF-L. To understand the dynamics of NFs in vivo, we studied the dynamics of NF-H and compared them to those of NF-L, using the combination of microinjection technique and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. In the case of NF-L protein, the bleached zone gradually restored its fluorescence intensity with a recovery half time of approximately 35 min. On the other hand, recovery of the bleached zone of NF-H was considerably faster, taking place in approximately 19 min. However, in both cases the bleached zone was stationary. Thus, it was suggested that NF-H is the dynamic component of the NF array and is interchangeable, but that it assembles with the other neurofilament triplet proteins in a more exchangeable way, implying that the location of NF-H is in the periphery of the core NF array mainly composed of NF-L subunits. Immunoelectron microscopy investigations of the incorporation sites of NF-H labeled with biotin compounds also revealed the lateral insertion of NF-H subunits into the preexisting NF array, taking after the pattern seen in the case of NF-L. In summary, our results demonstrate that the dynamics of the L and H subunit proteins in situ are quite different from each other, suggesting different and separated mechanisms or structural specialization underlying the behavior of the two proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A novel microtubule-based motor protein (KIF4) for organelle transports, whose expression is regulated developmentally.

To understand the mechanisms of transport for organelles in the axon, we isolated and sequenced the cDNA encoding KIF4 from murine brain, and characterized the molecule biochemically and immunocytochemically. Complete amino acid sequence analysis of KIF4 and ultrastructural studies of KIF4 molecules expressed in Sf9 cells revealed that the protein contains 1,231 amino acid residues (M(r) 139,550) and that the molecule (116-nm rod with globular heads and tail) consists of three domains: an NH2-terminal globular motor domain, a central alpha-helical stalk domain and a COOH-terminal tail domain. KIF4 protein has the property of nucleotide-dependent binding to microtubules, microtubule-activated ATPase activity, and microtubule plus-end-directed motility. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization demonstrated that KIF4 is strongly expressed in juvenile tissues including differentiated young neurons, while its expression is decreased considerably in adult mice except in spleen. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that KIF4 colocalized with membranous organelles both in growth cones of differentiated neurons and in the cytoplasm of cultured fibroblasts. During mitotic phase of cell cycle, KIF4 appears to colocalize with membranous organelles in the mitotic spindle. Hence we conclude that KIF4 is a novel microtubule-associated anterograde motor protein for membranous organelles, the expression of which is regulated developmentally.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Direct visualization of the microtubule lattice seam both in vitro and in vivo.

Microtubules are constructed from alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers that are arranged into protofilaments. Most commonly there are 13 or 14 protofilaments. A series of structural investigations using both electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction have indicated that there are two potential lattices (A and B) in which the tubulin subunits can be arranged. Electron microscopy has shown that kinesin heads, which bind only to beta-tubulin, follow a helical path with a 12-nm pitch in which subunits repeat every 8-nm axially, implying a primarily B-type lattice. However, these helical symmetry parameters are not consistent with a closed lattice and imply that there must be a discontinuity or "seam" along the microtubule. We have used quick-freeze deep-etch electron microscopy to obtain the first direct evidence for the presence of this seam in microtubules formed either in vivo or in vitro. In addition to a conventional single seam, we have also rarely found microtubules in which there is more than one seam. Overall our data indicates that microtubules have a predominantly B lattice, but that A lattice bonds between tubulin subunits are found at the seam. The cytoplasmic microtubules in mouse nerve cells also have predominantly B lattice structure and A lattice bonds at the seam. These observations have important implications for the interaction of microtubules with MAPs and with motor proteins, and for example, suggest that kinesin motors may follow a single protofilament track.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Phosphorylation of native and reassembled neurofilaments composed of NF-L, NF-M, and NF-H by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Phosphorylation of neurofilament-L protein (NF-L) by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) inhibits the reassembly of NF-L and disassembles filamentous NF-L. The effects of phosphorylation by A-kinase on native neurofilaments (NF) composed of three distinct subunits: NF-L, NF-M, and NF-H, however, have not yet been described. In this paper, we examined the effects of phosphorylation of NF proteins by A-kinase on both native and reassembled filaments containing all three NF subunits. In the native NF, A-kinase phosphorylated each NF subunit with stoichiometries of 4 mol/mol for NF-L, 6 mol/mol for NF-M, and 4 mol/mol for NF-H. The extent of NF-L phosphorylation in the native NF was nearly the same as that of purified NF-L. However, phosphorylation did not cause the native NFs to disassemble into oligomers, as was the case for purified NF-L. Instead, partial fragmentation was detected in sedimentation experiments and by electron microscopic observations. This is probably not due to the presence of the three NF subunits in NF or to differences in phosphorylation sites because reassembled NF containing all three NF subunits were disassembled into oligomeric forms by phosphorylation with A-kinase and the phosphorylation by A-kinase occurred at the head domain of NF-L whether NF were native or reassembled. Disassembling intermediates of reassembled NF containing all three NF subunits were somewhat different from disassembling intermediates of NF-L. Thinning and loosening of filaments was frequently observed preceding complete disassembly. From the fact that the thinning was also observed in the native filaments phosphorylated by A-kinase, it is reasonable to propose the native NF is fragmented through a process of thinning that is stimulated by phosphorylation in the head domain of the NF subunits.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Redistribution of synapsin I and synaptophysin in response to electrical stimulation in the rat neurohypophysial nerve endings.

To understand the dynamics of synaptic vesicles and synapsin I, we have studied the localization of synapsin I and synaptophysin in resting and stimulated nerve endings by ultracryomicrotomy and colloidal gold-immunocytochemistry. First, we characterized microvesicles in resting nerve endings of the rat neurohypophysis, which was chosen as the model of nerve ending in this study. Synaptophysin was localized in microvesicles that were clustered beneath the plasma membrane. Quick-freeze deep-etching electron microscopy showed that short strands cross-linked microvesicles to each other, which highly resemble the structures observed in our studies of the presynaptic nerve terminals of central and peripheral nervous system and in vitro reconstitution of synapsin I and synaptic vesicles. Immunocytochemistry showed that synapsin I was localized to the region of cluster of microvesicles. Second, using this system, we examined localization of synapsin I and synaptophysin in nerve endings after electrical stimulation. Besides release of neurosecretory granules, clusters of microvesicles dissappeared and both microvesicles and synaptophysin were scattered over nerve endings. These changes were also confirmed by quick-freeze, freeze-substitution. Immunocytochemistry of the stimulated sample revealed that synapsin I was also scattered. The results show that microvesicles in neurohypophysis have similar characteristics of typical synaptic vesicles and synapsin I has a role as a scaffold to cross-link microvesicles to be clustered in resting nerve endings. This scaffold of synapsin I was disengaged after stimulation to redistribute microvesicles and synapsin I itself, which may be the mechanism of synapsin I to regulate the availability of synaptic vesicles for release.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Interaction of the tail domain of high molecular weight subunits of neurofilaments with the COOH-terminal region of tubulin and its regulation by tau protein kinase II.

We previously showed that neurofilaments interact with microtubules (MTs) via their high molecular weight subunits (NF-H) after alkaline phosphatase treatment. Here we studied the effects of phosphorylation of NF-H on this interaction. tau protein kinase II, Ser/Thr protein kinase, phosphorylated NF-H in the tail domain, decreased its electrophoretic mobility to a native level, and also restored its property to be less interactive with MTs. Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase caused no shift of electrophoretic mobility or dissociation from MTs. We conclude that the tail domain of NF-H directly interacts with the MT surface, and the interaction is regulated via phosphorylation of the tail domain of NF-H by Ser/Thr protein kinase like tau protein kinase II. To characterize the binding domain of NF-H on MTs, subtilisin digestion of MTs and competition analysis with the MT binding fragment of tau protein were performed. The dissociation constant of NF-H to subtilisin MTs was higher than that to intact MTs. The maximum binding of NF-H was reduced when tau fragments existed. These results revealed that the COOH-terminal region of tubulin is involved in the binding to NF-H, and the NF-H and microtubule-associated protein binding domains are closely apposed on the surface of MTs.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The primary structure of rat brain (cytoplasmic) dynein heavy chain, a cytoplasmic motor enzyme.

Overlapping cDNA clones encoding the heavy chain of rat brain cytoplasmic dynein have been isolated. The isolated cDNA clones contain an open reading frame of 13,932 bp encoding 4644 aa (M(r), 532,213). The deduced protein sequence of the heavy chain of rat brain dynein shows significant similarity to sea urchin flagellar beta-dynein (27.0% identical) and to Dictyostelium cytoplasmic dynein (53.5% identical) throughout the entire sequence. The heavy chain of rat brain (cytoplasmic) dynein contains four putative nucleotide-binding consensus sequences [GX4GK(T/S)] in the central one-third region that are highly similar to those of sea urchin and Dictyostelium dyneins. The N-terminal one-third of the heavy chain of rat brain (cytoplasmic) dynein shows high similarity (43.8% identical) to that of Dictyostelium cytoplasmic dynein but poor similarity (19.4% identical) to that of sea urchin flagellar dynein. These results suggested that the C-terminal two-thirds of the dynein molecule is conserved and plays an essential role in microtubule-dependent motility activity, whereas the N-terminal regions are different between cytoplasmic and flagellar dyneins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗