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PubMed1992

A human polyadenylation factor is a G protein beta-subunit homologue.

Cleavage stimulation factor (CstF) is one of the multiple factors required for polyadenylation of mammalian pre-mRNAs in vitro. We have shown previously that this factor is composed of three distinct subunits of 77, 64, and 50 kDa, and that the 64-kDa subunit can be UV-cross-linked to RNA in a polyadenylation signal (AAUAAA)-dependent manner. By molecular cloning, the 64-kDa subunit was shown to contain a ribonucleoprotein-type RNA binding domain and a novel repeat structure. To study the functions of the other subunits, we have now isolated cDNAs encoding the 50-kDa subunit of human CstF. This subunit shares extensive homology with mammalian G protein beta-subunits and has a characteristic repeat structure (transducin repeat), in which an approximately 44-amino acid-long sequence is repeated seven times. To our knowledge, the 50-kDa subunit is the first example of a functional beta-subunit-like protein in vertebrates. Possible roles of the transducin repeat, both in CstF function specifically and in other beta-subunit homologues more generally, are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Mapping of the amino acids in membrane-embedded helices that interact with the retinal chromophore in bovine rhodopsin.

By using a photoactivatable analog of 11-cis-retinal in rhodopsin, we have previously identified the amino acids Phe-115, Ala-117, Glu-122, Trp-126, Ser-127, and Trp-265 as major sites of cross-linking to the chromophore. To further investigate the amino acids that interact with retinal, we have now used site-directed mutagenesis to replace a variety of amino acids in the membrane-embedded helices in bovine rhodopsin, including those that were indicated by cross-linking studies. The mutant rhodopsin genes were expressed in monkey kidney cells (COS-1) and purified. The mutant proteins were studied for their spectroscopic properties and their ability to activate transducin. Substitution of the two amino acids, Trp-265 and Glu-122 by Tyr, Phe, and Ala and by Gln, Asp and Ala, respectively, resulted in blue-shifted (20-30 nm) chromophore, and substitution of Trp-265 by Ala resulted in marked reduction in the extent of chromophore regeneration. Light-dependent bleaching behavior was significantly altered in Ala-117----Phe, Trp-265----Phe, Ala, and Ala-292----Asp mutants. Transducin activation was reduced in these mutants, in particular Trp-265 mutants, as well as in Glu-122----Gln, Trp-126----Leu (Ala), Pro-267----Ala (Asn, Ser), and Tyr-268----Phe mutants. These findings indicate that Trp-265 is located close to retinal and Glu-122, Trp-126, and probably Tyr-268 are also likely to be near retinal.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Inhibition and stimulation of photoreceptor phosphodiesterases by dipyridamole and M&B 22,948.

Few high affinity inhibitors of the photoreceptor phosphodiesterases have been identified. We show here that dipyridamole and M&B 22,948 (Zaprinast), potent inhibitors of the cGMP-binding, cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE), also inhibit trypsin- or transducin-activated bovine rod and cone photoreceptor phosphodiesterases at submicromolar concentrations. Dixon plots demonstrated that the inhibition of trypsin-activated rod PDE was competitive, with Ki values of 140 nM for M&B 22,948 and 380 nM for dipyridamole. Both of these drugs were much more potent than other PDE inhibitors, including isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). These results reinforce the suggestion that the photoreceptor and the cGMP-binding, cGMP-specific PDE are closely related. In addition, the high affinity and selectivity of these agents should make them useful for probing the regulation and function of PDE in the photoreceptor. At low substrate concentrations, the effects of these drugs on basal unactivated PDE activity were similar to those seen with trypsin- or transducin-activated PDE. At millimolar substrate concentrations, however, the effects of the drugs were biphasic; PDE activity was stimulated at drug concentrations from 1 to 10 microM and inhibited at higher concentrations. Stimulation was not observed with IBMX. This stimulation of activity apparently was not an allosteric effect caused by direct binding of the dipyridamole and M&B 22,948 to the high affinity noncatalytic cGMP binding sites on the PDEs; whereas no cooperativity of cGMP binding to this site has been demonstrated, the drugs actually stimulated the binding of low concentrations of cGMP to this site. In addition, whereas preincubation with cGMP and cGMP analogs blocked the stimulation exerted by the drugs, they did so only at much higher concentrations than those necessary for saturation of the high affinity noncatalytic cGMP site. Because the stimulation can only be seen at higher substrate levels than are thought to exist in the photoreceptor, only the inhibitory effects of the drugs are likely to be pharmacologically relevant. However, the stimulation exerted by these drugs may point to a hitherto unknown allosteric interaction between the catalytic and regulatory sites on the PDE or to a previously unrecognized regulatory site.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1988

Myristoyl CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase activities from rat liver and yeast possess overlapping yet distinct peptide substrate specificities.

A variety of eukaryotic viral and cellular proteins possesses an NH2-terminal N-myristoylglycine residue important for their biological functions. Recent studies of the primary structural requirements for peptide substrates of the enzyme responsible for this modification in yeast demonstrated that residues 1, 2, and 5 play a critical role in enzyme: ligand interactions (Towler, D. A., Adams, S. P., Eubanks, S. R., Towery, D. S., Jackson-Machelski, E., Glaser, L., and Gordon J. I. (1987b) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 84, 2708-2812). This was determined by examining as substrates a series of synthetic peptides whose sequences were systematically altered from a "parental" peptide derived from the known N-myristoylprotein bovine heart cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (A kinase) catalytic subunit. We have now extended these studies in order to examine structure/activity relationships in the COOH-terminal regions of octapeptide substrates of yeast N-myristoyltransferase (NMT). The interaction between yeast NMT and the side chain of residue 5 in peptide ligands is apparently sterically constrained, since Thr5 is unable to promote the very high affinity binding observed with a Ser5 substitution. A substrate hexapeptide core has been defined which contains much of the information necessary for recognition by this lower eukaryotic NMT. Addition of COOH-terminal basic residues to this hexapeptide enhances peptide binding, while COOH-terminal acidic residues destabilize NMT: ligand interactions. Based on the results obtained from our in vitro studies of over 80 synthetic peptides and yeast NMT, we have identified a number of potential N-myristoylproteins from searches of available protein databases. These include hepatitis B virus pre-S1, human SYN-kinase, rodent Gi alpha, and bovine transducin-alpha. Peptides corresponding to the NH2-terminal sequences of these proteins and several known N-myristoylproteins were assayed using yeast NMT as well as partially purified rat liver NMT. While a number of the synthetic peptides exhibited similar catalytic properties with the yeast and mammalian enzymes, surprisingly, the SYN-kinase, Gi alpha, and transducin-alpha peptides were N-myristoylated by rat NMT but not by yeast NMT. This suggests that either multiple NMT activities exist in rat liver or the yeast and rodent enzymes have similar but distinct peptide substrate specificities.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗
PubMed1986

Immunochemical evidence for a novel pertussis toxin substrate in human neutrophils.

Pertussis toxin catalyzes incorporation of 20.2 pmol of ADP-ribose/mg of protein into approximately 40-kDa protein(s) in human neutrophil membranes compared with 14.1 pmol/mg in bovine brain membranes. Based on these measurements we estimate that pertussis toxin substrate(s) should represent at least 0.085% of total membrane protein in neutrophils. Both brain and neutrophil membranes show high concentrations (0.34 versus 0.16% of total membrane protein, respectively) of the common beta subunit of guanine nucleotide binding proteins. Affinity purified antibodies specific for Go-alpha fail to detect any protein in immunoblots of neutrophil membranes (150 micrograms) under conditions where as little as 10 ng of purified Go-alpha is detectable, and Go-alpha is readily detected in brain membranes (100 micrograms). An antiserum against transducin that cross-reacts strongly with Gi-alpha, detects as little as 5 ng of purified Gi-alpha and readily detects Gi-alpha in brain membranes, but in neutrophil membranes, the antiserum detects an approximately 40-kDa band that corresponds to less than 10% of the expected amount of pertussis toxin substrate(s). The results show that human neutrophil membranes contain relatively large amounts of pertussis toxin substrate(s), but that the predominant pertussis toxin substrate is immunochemically distinct from previously identified substrates, transducin, Gi, and Go.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1985

Amino acid-specific ADP-ribosylation. Sensitivity to hydroxylamine of [cysteine(ADP-ribose)]protein and [arginine(ADP-ribose)]protein linkages.

Hydroxylamine stability has been used to classify (ADP-ribose)protein bonds into sensitive and resistant linkages, with the former representing (ADP-ribose)glutamate, and the latter, (ADP-ribose)arginine. Recently, it was shown that cysteine also serves as an ADP-ribose acceptor. The hydroxylamine stability of [cysteine([32P]ADP-ribose)]protein and [arginine([32P] ADP-ribose)]protein bonds was compared. In transducin, pertussis toxin catalyzes the ADP-ribosylation of a cysteine residue, whereas choleragen (cholera toxin) modifies an arginine moiety. The (ADP-ribose)cysteine bond formed by pertussis toxin was more stable to hydroxylamine than was the (ADP-ribose)arginine bond formed by choleragen. The (ADP-ribose)cysteine bond apparently represents a third class of ADP-ribose bonds. Pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylates the inhibitory guanyl nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (Gi) of adenylate cyclase, whereas choleragen modifies the stimulatory guanyl nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (Gs). These (ADP-ribose)protein linkages are identical in stability to those formed in transducin by the two toxins, consistent with the probability that cysteine and arginine are modified in Gi and Gs, respectively. Bonds exhibiting differences in hydroxylamine-stability were found in membranes from various non-intoxicated mammalian cells following incubation with [32P]NAD, which may reflect the presence of endogenous NAD:protein-ADP-ribosyl-transferases.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1984

Inhibition of bovine rod outer segment GTPase by Bordetella pertussis toxin.

Incubation of photolyzed bovine rod outer segment (ROS) membranes with pertussis toxin led to an inhibition of GTPase activity in an NAD-dependent reaction. In the presence of [32P]NAD, pertussis toxin catalyzed the [32P]ADP-ribosylation of a 39-kDa ROS protein and the 39-kDa alpha-subunit of transducin purified from ROS membranes. The decrease in GTPase activity was paralleled by an increase in the extent of [32P]ADP-ribosylation of the 39-kDa ROS protein. [32P]ADP-ribosylation of the 39-kDa protein occurred in both photolyzed and dark ROS membranes. Neither ATP nor guanylyl imidodiphosphate were required for either ADP-ribosylation or inhibition of GTPase. It was demonstrated previously that choleragen catalyzed the NAD-dependent inhibition of ROS GTPase (Abood, M. E., Hurley, J. B., Pappone, M-C., Bourne, H. R., and Stryer, L. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 10540-10543). Choleragen-catalyzed inhibition of GTPase and [32P]ADP-ribosylation of the 39-kDa protein required guanylyl imidodiphosphate and did not occur in dark ROS membranes. The effects of choleragen and pertussis toxin were not additive. Incubation of ROS with choleragen or pertussis toxin prevented the subsequent [32P]ADP-ribosylation by the homologous but not the heterologous toxin, consistent with the hypothesis that the two toxins act at different sites on the 39-kDa protein. Pertussis toxin is known to ADP-ribosylate the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding subunit of adenylate cyclase (Ni) but not the stimulatory subunit (Ns); choleragen is known to ADP-ribosylate Ns but not Ni. Since both toxins ADP-ribosylate the same subunit of transducin, it appears that this protein may possess characteristics of both Ns and Ni.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1984

Isolation of two proteins with high affinity for guanine nucleotides from membranes of bovine brain.

Membranes from bovine brain bind relatively large quantities of guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) with high affinity. The two proteins responsible for most of this activity were purified; they account for 1.5% of the membrane protein. The two proteins contain alpha subunits of either 39,000 or 41,000 Da, beta subunits of 36,000 or 35,000 Da, and a potential gamma subunit (11,000 Da). These structures are the same as a family of proteins that includes transducin and the regulatory proteins, GS and GI, of adenylate cyclase. The 41,000- and 39,000-Da polypeptides can be ADP-ribosylated with islet-activating protein from Bordetella pertussis, bind guanine nucleotides specifically, and migrate through polyacrylamide gels with rates similar to the alpha subunits of GI and transducin, respectively. The 36,000- and 35,000-Da polypeptides are similar to the beta subunits of GI and GS. The gamma subunit is found whenever beta subunits are present. The 41,000- and 39,000-Da polypeptides (with beta and gamma) are designated, respectively, GI and GO from brain. The alpha subunit of GO was isolated without the use of ligands known to dissociate other G proteins. GO alpha binds GTP gamma S reversibly in the absence of Mg2+ and is relatively stable in cholate. This isolated alpha subunit should be of great utility in elucidating the mechanism of action of this family of GTP-binding proteins.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1993

Transcription of photoreceptor genes during fetal retinal development. Evidence for positive and negative regulation.

Rod photoreceptor outer segments are elaborated at approximately 6 months gestation in the cow coinciding with a dramatic increase in mRNAs encoding many visual transduction and associated proteins. Nuclear run-on determination of relative transcription rates demonstrates that gene expression follows three distinct patterns. Opsin, S-antigen, and transducin are all minimally detectable at 5.2 months gestation and increase throughout development. Only opsin demonstrates an additional sharp increase in transcriptional activity which resembles a positive gene-specific enhancer that is first effective between 6.3 and 7.4 months gestation. In contrast, interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) transcription is already at 43% of its adult level at 5.2 months gestation. To further understand these differences, the relative contributions of initiation and elongation to nuclear run-on signals were examined using either Sarkosyl or ammonium sulfate. Transcriptional rates for S-antigen and transducin were not affected, however, opsin was reduced approximately 4-fold and IRBP was increased approximately 2-fold. Opsin is therefore likely to be initiated de novo during the run-on reaction and responds to a gene-specific positive regulator. The increase in IRBP transcription rate suggests the removal of an elongation inhibitory factor and supports the idea that a negative regulatory element may be involved in controlling IRBP expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

mu-Opioid receptors inhibit dopamine-stimulated activity of type V adenylyl cyclase but enhance dopamine-stimulated activity of type VII adenylyl cyclase.

The introduction of D1A dopamine receptors and mu-opioid receptors into HEK 293 cells that were also transiently transfected with adenylyl cyclase cDNA imparted to dopamine and to mu-opioid receptor agonists the ability to modulate the activity of the expressed adenylyl cyclase. Dopamine added to cells expressing D1A receptors and type V adenylyl cyclase significantly stimulated type V enzyme activity. The concomitant addition of morphine produced a dose-dependent inhibition of dopamine-stimulated type V adenylyl cyclase activity. On the other hand, if the HEK 293 cells were transfected with cDNA for type VII adenylyl cyclase instead of the type V isoform, morphine stimulated this adenylyl cyclase activity beyond the stimulation produced by dopamine. Both the inhibitory and stimulatory effects of morphine were blocked by naloxone or pretreatment of the transfected HEK 293 cells with pertussis toxin. When expressed in the HEK 293 cells, the alpha subunit of transducin, which is considered to be the putative scavenger of the beta gamma subunits of G proteins, suppressed the stimulatory effect of morphine on type VII adenylyl cyclase. We also expressed the adenylyl cyclases in cells that were transfected with D1A receptor and G beta 1 and G gamma 2 cDNAs. Dopamine was more efficacious in stimulating type VII adenylyl cyclase activity in cells concomitantly transfected with the beta gamma subunit cDNAs than in cells not transfected with these G protein subunits. Transfection with beta gamma subunit cDNAs did not affect dopamine stimulation of type V adenylyl cyclase activity, and morphine-induced inhibition of type V adenylyl cyclase activity was still evident in cells cotransfected with the alpha subunit of transducin. These data support the contention that the effects on type VII adenylyl cyclase activity mediated through the G1/G(o) proteins may depend on the actions of the beta gamma subunits. The same is not the case for type V adenylyl cyclase. Our data demonstrate that both qualitative and quantitative responses to mu-opioid receptor stimulation depend on the isoform of adenylyl cyclase expressed in neurons or other cells of the body.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗
PubMed1996

G-protein beta gamma subunits mediate specific phosphorylation of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase SH-PTP1 induced by lysophosphatidic acid.

SH-PTP1 is a protein-tyrosine phosphatase preferentially expressed in hematopoietic cells and bearing two SH2 (src homology-2) domains. In the human megakaryocytic cell line Dami, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) promoted a rapid increase in SH-PTP1 phosphorylation on both serine and tyrosine residues. Only tyrosine phosphorylation was significantly inhibited by pertussis toxin and by the protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X. Moreover, SH-PTP1 was phosphorylated upon challenge with other agonists acting via G-protein-coupled receptors such as alpha-thrombin, epinephrine, and ADP, whereas the closely related protein-tyrosine phosphatase SH-PTP2 failed to share such a regulation in Dami cells. We developed an in vitro assay that reproduced LPA-dependent phosphorylation of SH-PTP1 in a cell-free system. The fusion protein glutathione S-transferase-beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1-(495-689) or the transducin subunit Galphat-GDP, which act as specific antagonists of Gbetagamma, inhibited SH-PTP1 phosphorylation. Moreover, purified transducin Gbetagamma subunits mimicked the effect of LPA. Finally, stable expression of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1-(495-689) in Dami cells resulted in the inhibition of SH-PTP1 as a specific target of protein kinases linked to G-protein-coupled receptors via Gbetagamma subunits.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1996

Fission yeast Sop2p: a novel and evolutionarily conserved protein that interacts with Arp3p and modulates profilin function.

Profilins bind to monomeric actin and also interact with ligands such as phosphoinositide 4,5-bisphosphate, the proline-rich protein VASP and a complex of four to six polypeptides identified in Acanthamoeba that includes two actin-related proteins. Here, we report the identification and characterization of an essential gene from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, sop2+, a mutation in which rescues the temperature-sensitive lethality of a profilin mutation, cdc3-124. The sop2-1 mutant is defective for cell elongation and septation, suggesting that it is involved in multiple cortical actin-requiring processes. Consistent with a role in actin cytoskeletal function, negative interactions have been identified between sop2-1 and act1-48, a mutant allele of actin. Sop2p is a novel 377 amino acid polypeptide with similarity to proteins of the beta-transducin repeat family. Sop2p-related proteins have been identified by sequencing projects in diverse species, and we have isolated a human cDNA highly related to sop2+, SOP2 Hs, which functionally complements the sop2-1 mutation. Sop2p proteins from all species contain peptide sequences identical or highly similar to two peptide sequences from an Acanthamoeba beta-transducin repeat protein present in the profilin binding complex. Biochemical analyses demonstrate that Sop2p is present in a complex which also contains the actin-related protein, Arp3p. Immunofluorescence studies reveal the presence of Sop2p in (i) punctate structures distributed throughout the cell, (ii) cables that extend the length of the cell, and (iii) a medial band in a small percentage of septating cells. Collectively these data demonstrate the interaction of Sop2p with Arp3p, profilin and actin.

Acanthamoeba↗
PubMed1999

The effects of seasons and light therapy on G protein levels in mononuclear leukocytes of patients with seasonal affective disorder.

BACKGROUND: Information-transducing heterotrimeric G proteins have been implicated previously in the mechanism of action of mood stabilizers and in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Mononuclear leukocytes of patients with unipolar and bipolar depression have been characterized by reduced measures of the stimulatory and inhibitory G proteins. In this study, patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) were measured for mononuclear leukocyte G protein levels while depressed during the winter, following light therapy, and in remission during the summer. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with SAD and 28 healthy subjects were assessed in the study. The immunoreactivities of Gs alpha, Gi alpha, and Gbeta subunit proteins were determined by Western blot analysis of mononuclear leukocyte membranes with selective polyclonal antibodies for the various G subunit proteins, followed by densitometric quantitation using an image analysis system. RESULTS: Untreated patients with SAD and winter, atypical-type depression showed significantly reduced mononuclear leukocyte immunoreactive levels of Gs alpha and Gi alpha proteins, similar to previous observations in patients with nonseasonal major depression. The reduced G protein levels were normalized with 2 weeks of light therapy. The same patients while in remission during the summer had G protein levels that were similar to those of healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: G protein-immunoreactive measures in patients with SAD are suggested as a state marker for winter depression, which is normalized by light treatment and during the summer. We speculate that light may exert its effects via normalization of transducin (Gt protein) levels, which are thought to be reduced in winter depression.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Identification of new localized RNAs in the Xenopus oocyte by differential display PCR.

We have identified localized transcripts in full-grown Xenopus oocytes by differential display PCR. One clone, An4a, has two transcripts, which localize to the animal half of the stage VI oocyte. The transcripts are expressed throughout early development, with embryonic expression primarily in anterior neural tissues. An4a has a high degree of sequence identity to a human cDNA clone of unknown function. Another clone, the previously identified beta-transducin repeat containing protein (beta-TrCP), has three transcripts with a unique pattern of localization, one localized to the animal half and two localized primarily to the vegetal cortex. This cDNA has previously been shown to rescue a yeast cell division cycle mutant, raising the possibility that the different Xenopus transcripts are involved in animal and vegetal cell cycles. Embryonic expression is primarily in the cement gland. These new localized transcripts contribute to the general observation that the vegetal cortex, but not the animal cortex, is a specific site for RNA localization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Ultrastructural localization of gustducin immunoreactivity in microvilli of type II taste cells in the rat.

Gustducin is a transducin-like G protein (guanine nucleotide-binding protein) that is expressed in taste bud cells. Gustducin is believed to be involved in bitter and possibly sweet taste transduction. In the present study, we demonstrate that a subset of type II cells displays immunoreactivity to antisera directed against gustducin in taste buds of rat circumvallate papilla. Immunogold particles are present both in the microvilli and cytoplasm of the immunoreactive cells. Quantitative analysis of the data suggests that the number of colloidal gold particles (P<0.001) and nanogold particles (P<0.01) in the immunoreactive type II cells are much greater than in type I cells. There are also approximately 2.5 times (P<0.05) as many colloidal gold particles associated with the microvilli versus the cytoplasm in the immunoreactive type II cells. The ultrastructural distribution of gustducin immunoreactivity is consistent with its proposed role in the initial events of sensory transduction by gustatory receptor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Phototransduction molecules in the pigeon deep brain.

Photoreceptive areas responsible for the regulation of photoperiodicity have been localized in the brain of some avian species. We found that immunoreactivities to rhodopsin and the alpha-subunit of rod-type transducin (Gt(1)alpha) were colocalized in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contacting neurons in the pigeon lateral septum, a possible site for photoreception. Furthermore, RT-PCR analyses showed specific gene expression of both cGMP-phosphodiesterase beta-subunit and cone-type cGMP-gated cation channel alpha-subunit in this region. These results suggest that several components in rod/cone photoreceptors compositely contribute to the deep encephalic phototransduction cascade.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1993

The molecular biology of taste transduction.

Taste cells respond to a wide variety of chemical stimuli: certain ions are perceived as salty (Na+) or sour (H+); other small molecules are perceived as sweet (sugars) and bitter (alkaloids). Taste has evolutionary value allowing animals to respond positively (to sweet carbohydrates and salty NaCl) or aversively (to bitter poisons and corrosive acids). Recently, some of the proteins involved in taste transduction have been cloned. Several different G proteins have been identified and cloned from taste tissue: gustducin is a taste cell specific G protein closely related to the transducins. Work is under way to clone additional components of the taste transduction pathways. The combination of electrophysiology, biochemistry and molecular biology is being used to characterize taste receptor cells and their sensory transduction mechanisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Antibodies against retinal photoreceptor-specific proteins reveal axonal projections from the photosensory pineal organ in teleosts.

With the aid of specific antisera to the retinal proteins S-antigen and alpha-transducin and to the rhodopsin apoprotein opsin, we have labeled various cell populations in the pineal organ, parapineal organ, habenular nucleus, and subcommissural organ in two teleost species: the rainbow trout and the European minnow. Although these proteins are associated with photoreceptor functions, not only photoreceptor cells but also the majority of parenchymal cells in the pineal organ were immunoreactive. Immunoreactive cells with dendrite- and axonlike processes were observed also in the parapineal organ and the habenular nucleus. Furthermore, S-antigen-immunoreactive, long, axonal processes were observed in the pineal organ and could be traced from the pineal organ to the habenular nucleus and to the pretectal area. In the light of recent HRP electron microscopical and immunocytochemical studies we propose (1) that not only the classical pineal photoreceptor cells of poikilothermic vertebrates but also other types of CSF-contacting neurons may be the phylogenetic ancestors of mammalian pinealocytes, and (2) a close interrelationship between the pineal organ and the limbic system, effectuated by the direct projections from pineal photoreceptors/CSF-contacting neurons/pinealocytes to the habenular nucleus, and by displaced "pinealocytelike" elements scattered in the habenular nucleus.

Animals↗