Molecular cloning and amino acid sequence of brain L-glutamate decarboxylase

Astrocyte-dependent protective effect of quetiapine on GABAergic neuron is associated with the prevention of anxiety-like behaviors in aging mice after long-term treatment

Previous studies have demonstrated that quetiapine (QTP) may have neuroprotective properties; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we identified a novel mechanism by which QTP increased the synthesis of ATP in astrocytes and protected GABAergic neurons from aging-induced death. In 12-month-old mice, QTP significantly improved cell number of GABAegic neurons in the cortex and ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors compared to control group. Complimentary in vitro studies showed that QTP had no direct effect on the survival of aging GABAergic neurons in culture. Astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) pretreated with QTP (ACMQTP) for 24 h effectively protected GABAergic neurons against aging-induced spontaneous cell death. It was also found that QTP boosted the synthesis of ATP from cultured astrocytes after 24 h of treatment, which might be responsible for the protective effects on neurons. Consistent with the above findings, a Rhodamine 123 test showed that ACMQTP, not QTP itself, was able to prevent the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential in the aging neurons. For the first time, our study has provided evidence that astrocytes may be the conduit through which QTP is able to exert its neuroprotective effects on GABAergic neurons. The neuroprotective properties of quetiapine (QTP) have not been fully understood. Here, we identify a novel mechanism by which QTP increases the synthesis of ATP in astrocytes and protects GABAergic neurons from aging-induced death in a primary cell culture model. In 12-month-old mice, QTP significantly improves cell number of GABAegic neurons and ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors. Our study indicates that astrocytes may be the conduit through which QTP exerts its neuroprotective effects on GABAergic neurons.

Activity and coexpression of Drosophila black with ebony in fly optic lobes reveals putative cooperative tasks in vision that evade electroretinographic detection

Drosophila mutants black and ebony show pigmentation defects in the adult cuticle, which disclose their cooperative activity in β-alanyl-dopamine formation. In visual signal transduction, Ebony conjugates β-alanine to histamine, forming β-alanyl-histamine or carcinine. Mutation of ebony disrupts signal transduction and reveals an electroretinogram (ERG) phenotype. In contrast to the corresponding cuticle phenotype of black and ebony, there is no ERG phenotype observed when black expression is disrupted. This discrepancy calls into question the longstanding assumption of Black and Ebony interaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Black and Ebony in fly optic lobes. We excluded a presynaptic histamine uptake pathway and confirmed histamine recycling via carcinine formation in glia. β-Alanine supply for this pathway is independent of enzymatic synthesis by Black and β-alanine synthase Pyd3. Two versions of Black are expressed in vivo. Black is a specific aspartate decarboxylase with no activity on glutamate. RNA in situ hybridization and anti-Black antisera localized Black expression in the head. Immunolabeling revealed expression in lamina glia, in large medulla glia, in glia of the ocellar ganglion, and in astrocyte-like glia below the ocellar ganglion. In these glia types, Black expression is strictly accompanied by Ebony expression. Activity, localization, and strict coexpression with Ebony strongly indicate a specific mode of functional interaction that, however, evades ERG detection.

Differential roles of orexin receptor-1 and -2 in the regulation of non-REM and REM sleep

Orexin-A and orexin-B are hypothalamic neuropeptides that play critical roles in the maintenance of wakefulness. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of orexin-A has been shown to promote wakefulness and suppress both rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep through the orexin receptor-1 (OX(1)R) and orexin receptor-2 (OX(2)R). Here, we elucidated the differential roles of orexin receptors in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness by comparing the effects of ICV orexin-A administration in wild-type, OX(1)R(-/-), and OX(2)R(-/-) mice. The effects of orexin-A on wakefulness and NREM sleep were significantly attenuated in both knock-out mice as compared with wild-type mice, with substantially larger attenuation in OX(2)R(-/-) mice than in OX(1)R(-/-) mice. These results suggest that although the OX(2)R-mediated pathway has a pivotal role in the promotion of wakefulness, OX(1)R also plays additional roles in promoting arousal. In contrast, suppression of REM sleep by orexin-A administration was slightly and similarly attenuated in both OX(1)R(-/-) and OX(2)R(-/-) mice, suggesting a comparable contribution of the two receptors to REM sleep suppression. Histological studies demonstrated differential distributions of each receptor subtype in distinct neuronal populations with specific neurotransmitter identities in brainstem cholinergic/monoaminergic neurons. In the laterodorsal tegmental and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei especially, cholinergic neurons exclusively expressed OX(1)R mRNA, but OX(2)R mRNA was expressed mainly in GABAergic putative interneurons. Thus, each orexin receptor subtype plays differential roles in gating NREM and REM sleep through distinct neuronal pathways.

Molecular cloning and characterization of glutamate decarboxylase cDNA from the giant-embryo Oryza sativa

A full-length cDNA encoding glutamate decarboxylase (designated as OsGAD3), which catalyzes the conversion of glutamate to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was isolated from the GABA-rich giant-embryo Oryza sativa (Shangshi Jing 315). The full-length cDNA of OsGAD3 (SSJ315) has a 1479 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 492 amino acid residues. The deduced protein had an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.72 and a calculated molecular weight of 56.1 kD. Sequence comparison showed that OsGAD3 (SSJ315) matches the glutamate decarboxylases of other plant species reported previously. Analysis of the structural features of the C-terminal portions of plant GADs revealed that OsGAD3 (SSJ315) has the typical CaM-binding domain (CaMBD) in the C-terminal region as most other plant GADs. Evolution analysis showed that plant GADs are conserved in the process of evolution. The cloning and characterization of the OsGAD3 (SSJ315) gene will enable us to use OsGAD3 to enhance GABA production in O. sativa (SSJ315) by metabolic engineering in the near future.

An examination of aspartate decarboxylase and glutamate decarboxylase activity in mosquitoes

A major pathway of beta-alanine synthesis in insects is through the alpha-decarboxylation of aspartate, but the enzyme involved in the decarboxylation of aspartate has not been clearly defined in mosquitoes and characterized in any insect species. In this study, we expressed two putative mosquito glutamate decarboxylase-like enzymes of mosquitoes and critically analyzed their substrate specificity and biochemical properties. Our results provide clear biochemical evidence establishing that one of them is an aspartate decarboxylase and the other is a glutamate decarboxylase. The mosquito aspartate decarboxylase functions exclusively on the production of beta-alanine with no activity with glutamate. Likewise the mosquito glutamate decarboxylase is highly specific to glutamate with essentially no activity with aspartate. Although insect aspartate decarboxylase shares high sequence identity with glutamate decarboxylase, we are able to closely predict aspartate decarboxylase from glutamate decarboxylase based on the difference of their active site residues.

Expression of GABAergic system in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and airway epithelial cells in GAD67-GFP knock-in mice

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, is also located in many peripheral nonneuronal tissues. The glutamate decarboxylase 67-green fluorescent protein (GAD67-GFP) knock-in mouse is a useful model for studying the distribution of GABAergic cells in many tissues and organs. The lungs of these mice contain cells with an intense GFP signal exclusively in the airway epithelium. We aimed to characterize the GFP-positive cells and to clarify their relationship with the GABAergic system. We identified the GFP-positive cells as pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) by immunohistochemistry for the protein gene product 9.5 and calcitonin gene-related peptide and by ultrastructural analysis. Immunohistochemistry for GADs and GABA revealed GAD65/67 and GABA in GFP-positive PNECs. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed mRNAs encoding the GABA(B) receptor subunits necessary for the assembly of functional receptors, R1 and R2, in the lung. GABA(B) receptor subunit R1 and R2 proteins were expressed in many airway epithelial cells including alveolar epithelial cells other than GFP-positive PNECs. The present findings demonstrated that PNECs in the airway epithelium have a GABA production system and indicated that GABA plays functional roles in airway epithelial cells through GABA(B) receptors.

Molecular cloning, expression, purification, and characterization of shorter forms of human glutamic decarboxylase 67 in an E. coli expression system

Previously, we reported the presence of truncated form of human brain l-glutamic decarboxylase 65 (tGAD65) in vivo as well as in vitro and found that tGAD65 was more active than the full-length GAD65 (Wei et al., J. Biomed. Sci., 10: 617-624, 2003). Here, we report the presence of two shorter forms of hGAD67, namely, hGAD67 (Delta1-70) and hGAD(67) (Delta1-90), referring to a deletion of 1-70 and 1-90 amino acids from the N-terminal, respectively. The molecular masses of hGAD67 (Delta1-70) and hGAD67 (Delta1-90) were found to be 59 kDa and 57 kDa, respectively. Both shorter forms were cloned, expressed, and characterized. In contrast to hGAD65, the shorter forms of hGAD67 were much less active than the full-length due to decrease in affinity of PLP towards the shorter enzymes. Both the full-length and one of the shorter forms of GAD67 were detected in porcine brain extract. Furthermore, the full-length GAD67 could be converted to both shorter forms by crude brain extract, suggesting that an endogenous protease may be present in the brain, which is responsible for the conversion. The cleavage of GAD67 seems to be Ca+(2)-dependent. The model for the conversion of GAD from full-length GAD to shorter forms of GAD and its physiological implications was proposed.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the glutamate decarboxylase-encoding gene gadA from Aspergillus oryzae

We cloned a genomic DNA encoding the glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) from Aspergillus oryzae using a 200-bp DNA fragment as the probe. This DNA fragment was amplified by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with mRNA of A. oryzae as the template and degenerate primers designed from the conserved amino acid sequence of Escherichia coli GAD and Arabidopsis thaliana GAD. Nucleotide sequencing analysis showed that the cloned gene (designated gadA) encoded 514 amino acid residues and contained three introns. Southern hybridization showed that the gadA gene was on a 6.0-kb SacI fragment and that there was a single copy in the A. oryzae chromosome. The cloned gene was functional, because one transformant of A. oryzae containing multiple copies of the gadA gene had 10-fold the GAD activity and a 12-fold increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid production compared with the control strain.

GABA and GABA receptors in the central nervous system and other organs

Gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian brain. GABA is also considered to be a multifunctional molecule that has different situational functions in the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, and in some nonneuronal tissues. GABA is synthesized primarily from glutamate by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), but alternative pathways may be important under certain situations. Two types of GAD appear to have significant physiological roles. GABA functions appear to be triggered by binding of GABA to its ionotropic receptors, GABA(A) and GABA(C), which are ligand-gated chloride channels, and its metabotropic receptor, GABA(B). The physiological, pharmacological, and molecular characteristics of GABA(A) receptors are well documented, and diversity in the pharmacologic properties of the receptor subtypes is important clinically. In addition to its role in neural development, GABA appears to be involved in a wide variety of physiological functions in tissues and organs outside the brain.

Myosin vb is associated with plasma membrane recycling systems

Myosin Va is associated with discrete vesicle populations in a number of cell types, but little is known of the function of myosin Vb. Yeast two-hybrid screening of a rabbit parietal cell cDNA library with dominant active Rab11a (Rab11aS20V) identified myosin Vb as an interacting protein for Rab11a, a marker for plasma membrane recycling systems. The isolated clone, corresponding to the carboxyl terminal 60 kDa of the myosin Vb tail, interacted with all members of the Rab11 family (Rab11a, Rab11b, and Rab25). GFP-myosin Vb and endogenous myosin Vb immunoreactivity codistributed with Rab11a in HeLa and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. As with Rab11a in MDCK cells, the myosin Vb immunoreactivity was dispersed with nocodazole treatment and relocated to the apical corners of cells with taxol treatment. A green fluorescent protein (GFP)-myosin Vb tail chimera overexpressed in HeLa cells retarded transferrin recycling and caused accumulation of transferrin and the transferrin receptor in pericentrosomal vesicles. Expression of the myosin Vb tail chimera in polarized MDCK cells stably expressing the polymeric IgA receptor caused accumulation of basolaterally endocytosed polymeric IgA and the polymeric IgA receptor in the pericentrosomal region. The myosin Vb tail had no effects on transferrin trafficking in polarized MDCK cells. The GFP-myosin Va tail did not colocalize with Rab11a and had no effects on recycling system vesicle distribution in either HeLa or MDCK cells. The results indicate myosin Vb is associated with the plasma membrane recycling system in nonpolarized cells and the apical recycling system in polarized cells. The dominant negative effects of the myosin Vb tail chimera indicate that this unconventional myosin is required for transit out of plasma membrane recycling systems.

Gene expression in hepatomas

Gene expression changes in accordance with cell growth, differentiation and carcinogenesis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms for hepatocarcinogenesis as well as maintenance of normal hepatocytes, it is important to identify the genes that have altered expression with carcinogenesis. We established a new and efficient cDNA subtraction method via two cDNA populations. By using this method along with rat hepatomas made by the Soh-Farber protocol, we identified a number of genes, some of which are activated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These genes include ones which code for a transcription factor and a metabolic enzyme. One particular gene can be used as a tumour marker. Our method is beneficial for the isolation of a wide range of HCC-related genes in rats which, in turn, enables easy identification of their human counterparts. In this review, we describe details of our method and the isolated genes. We also briefly describe transcription factors in the liver.

Cloning and characterization of myr 6, an unconventional myosin of the dilute/myosin-V family

We have isolated cDNAs encoding a second member of the dilute (myosin-V) unconventional myosin family in vertebrates, myr 6 (myosin from rat 6). Expression of myr 6 transcripts in the brain is much more limited than is the expression of dilute, with highest levels observed in choroid plexus and components of the limbic system. We have mapped the myr 6 locus to mouse chromosome 18 using an interspecific backcross. The 3' portion of the myr 6 cDNA sequence from rat is nearly identical to that of a previously published putative glutamic acid decarboxylase from mouse [Huang, W.M., Reed-Fourquet, L., Wu, E. & Wu, J.Y. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 8491-8495].

Molecular cloning of the mature NAD(+)-dependent succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase from rat and human. cDNA isolation, evolutionary homology, and tissue expression

Three rat brain cDNA clones approximately 3500, 1465, and 1135 base pairs in length encoding succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH; EC 1.2.1.24) were isolated from two cDNA libraries using a polymerase chain reaction derived probe. Restriction mapping and DNA sequencing revealed that the 3.5-kilobase clone contained an 84-base pair (28 amino acid) insert in the coding region. Composite clones encoding mature SSADH predicted proteins with 488 amino acids (M(r) = 52,188) when including the insert and 460 amino acids (M(r) = 48,854) without the insert. The cDNA clones were confirmed by expression of enzyme activity in bacteria and protein sequence data obtained from sequencing purified rat brain SSADH. Two human liver SSADH cDNA clones of 1091 and 899 base pairs were also isolated. Human and rat SSADH share 83 and 91% identity in nucleotide and protein sequence, respectively. Northern blot analysis revealed two differentially expressed SSADH transcripts of approximately 2.0 and 6.0 kilobases in both rat and human tissues. Human genomic Southern blots indicate that the two SSADH transcripts are encoded by a greater than 20-kilobase single copy gene. Mammalian SSADH contains significant homology to bacterial NADP(+)-succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.16) and conserved regions of general aldehyde dehydrogenases (EC 1.2.1.3), suggesting it is a member of the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily of proteins.

Isolation by anion-exchange of immunologically and enzymatically active human islet glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells

The enzyme L-glutamic acid decarboxylase is a major autoantigen of the beta cell. Autoantibodies against this enzyme are observed before the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in man and may be of predictive value. There is evidence that this enzyme is involved in the development of autoimmune diabetes in animals. In order to facilitate the investigation of the role of L-glutamine acid decarboxylase in IDDM, we expressed the 65 kDa isoform of human islet L-glutamic acid decarboxylase in insect cells using a baculovirus-based vector. The material was expressed at high levels (up to 50 mg/l of cells). Partially purified metabolically labelled L-glutamic acid decarboxylase bound to immunoglobulins in the sera from 20 of 49 subjects with newly-diagnosed IDDM. The enzyme was isolated in high yields (up to 26 mg/l cell culture) with fully maintained enzymatic activity by either ion-exchange chromatography or immunoaffinity chromatography. Purified L-glutamic acid decarboxylase inhibited the binding of radioactive L-glutamic acid decarboxylase, prepared by in vitro translation of mRNA, to immunoglobulins in the sera of subjects with IDDM. Recombinant human islet L-glutamic acid decarboxylase, isolated from Sf9 cells, is a suitable material for the large scale investigation of the utility of this enzyme in the prediction and prevention of autoimmune diabetes.

Molecular analysis of the myosin gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana

Myosin is believed to act as the molecular motor for many actin-based motility processes in eukaryotes. It is becoming apparent that a single species may possess multiple myosin isoforms, and at least seven distinct classes of myosin have been identified from studies of animals, fungi, and protozoans. The complexity of the myosin heavy-chain gene family in higher plants was investigated by isolating and characterizing myosin genomic and cDNA clones from Arabidopsis thaliana. Six myosin-like genes were identified from three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products (PCR1, PCR11, PCR43) and three cDNA clones (ATM2, MYA2, MYA3). Sequence comparisons of the deduced head domains suggest that these myosins are members of two major classes. Analysis of the overall structure of the ATM2 and MYA2 myosins shows that they are similar to the previously-identified ATM1 and MYA1 myosins, respectively. The MYA3 appears to possess a novel tail domain, with five IQ repeats, a six-member imperfect repeat, and a segment of unique sequence. Northern blot analyses indicate that some of the Arabidopsis myosin genes are preferentially expressed in different plant organs. Combined with previous studies, these results show that the Arabidopsis genome contains at least eight myosin-like genes representing two distinct classes.

Role of Protein Phosphorylation in Regulation of Brain L-Glutamate Decarboxylase Activity

In the brain, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level is primarily controlled by the activity of its synthesizing enzyme, L-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). At present, mechanisms responsible for regulation of GAD activity remain largely unknown. Here we report that GAD activity is inhibited by conditions favoring protein phosphorylation, and this inhibition can be reversed by phosphatase treatment. Furthermore, this inhibition appears to result from the suppression of a Ca(2+)-dependent phosphatase. Phosphorylation of GAD is demonstrated by direct incorporation of (32)P into the GAD protein. These results suggest that GAD activity in the brain is inhibited by phosphorylation and activated by dephosphorylation. A model for regulation of GABA synthesis related to neuronal excitation is discussed. Copyright 1994 S. Karger AG, Basel

Multiple evolutionary origin of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent amino acid decarboxylases

Comparison of the amino acid sequences of nine different pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent amino acid decarboxylases indicated that they can be subdivided into four different groups that seem to be evolutionarily unrelated to each other. Group I is represented by glycine decarboxylase, a component of a multienzyme system; group II comprises glutamate, histidine, tyrosine, and aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylases; group III, procaryotic ornithine and lysine decarboxylase as well as the procaryotic biodegradative type of arginine decarboxylase; group IV, eucaryotic ornithine and arginine decarboxylase as well as the procaryotic biosynthetic type of arginine decarboxylase and diaminopimelate decarboxylase. (N-1) profile analysis, a more stringent application of profile analysis, established the homology among the enzymes of each group. A search with the profile of group II indicated a distant relationship with aminotransferases and thus with the alpha family of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes. No evidence was obtained that groups I, III and IV were related with other pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes or any other protein in the database. Unlike the aminotransferases, which, with few possible exceptions, constitute a single group of homologous proteins, the amino acid decarboxylases, by the criterion of profile analysis, have evolved along multiple lineages, in some cases even if they have the same substrate specificity.

The distribution of GABA-containing perikarya, fibers, and terminals in the forebrain and midbrain of pigeons, with particular reference to the basal ganglia and its projection targets

Immunohistochemical techniques were used to study the distributions of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in pigeon forebrain and midbrain to determine the organization of GABAergic systems in these brain areas in birds. In the basal ganglia, numerous medium-sized neurons throughout the striatum were labeled for GABA, while pallidal neurons, as well as a small population of large, aspiny striatal neurons, labeled for GAD and GABA. GAD+ and GABA+ fibers and terminals were abundant throughout the basal ganglia, and GABAergic fibers were found in all extratelencephalic targets of the basal ganglia. Most of these targets also contained numerous GABAergic neurons. In pallial regions, approximately 10-12% of the neurons were GABAergic. The outer rind of the pallium was more intensely labeled for GABAergic fibers than the core. The olfactory tubercle region, the ventral pallidum, and the hypothalamus were extremely densely labeled for GABAergic fibers, while GABAergic neurons were unevenly distributed in the hypothalamus. GABAergic neurons and fibers were abundant in the dorsalmost part of thalamus and the dorsal geniculate region, while GABAergic neurons and fibers were sparse (or lightly labeled) in the thalamic nuclei rotundus, triangularis, and ovoidalis. Further, GABAergic neurons were abundant in the superficial tectal layers, the magnocellular isthmic nucleus, the inferior colliculus, the intercollicular region, the central gray, and the reticular formation. GABAergic fibers were particularly abundant in the superficial tectal layers, the parvocellular isthmic nucleus, the inferior colliculus, the intercollicular region, the central gray, and the interpeduncular nucleus. These results suggest that GABA plays a role as a neurotransmitter in nearly all fore- and midbrain regions of birds, and in many instances the observed distributions of GABAergic neurons and fibers closely resemble the patterns seen in mammals, as well as in other vertebrates.

Regulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid synthesis in the brain

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is synthesized in brain in at least two compartments, commonly called the transmitter and metabolic compartments, and because regulatory processes must serve the physiologic function of each compartment, the regulation of GABA synthesis presents a complex problem. Brain contains at least two molecular forms of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), the principal synthetic enzyme for GABA. Two forms, termed GAD65 and GAD67, are the products of two genes and differ in sequence, molecular weight, interaction with the cofactor, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (pyridoxal-P), and level of expression among brain regions. GAD65 appears to be localized in nerve terminals to a greater degree than GAD67, which appears to be more uniformly distributed throughout the cell. The interaction of GAD with pyridoxal-P is a major factor in the short-term regulation of GAD activity. At least 50% of GAD is present in brain as apoenzyme (GAD without bound cofactor; apoGAD), which serves as a reservoir of inactive GAD that can be drawn on when additional GABA synthesis is needed. A substantial majority of apoGAD in brain is accounted for by GAD65, but GAD67 also contributes to the pool of apoGAD. The apparent localization of GAD65 in nerve terminals and the large reserve of apoGAD65 suggest that GAD65 is specialized to respond to short-term changes in demand for transmitter GABA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Primary structure and cellular localization of chicken brain myosin-V (p190), an unconventional myosin with calmodulin light chains

Recent biochemical studies of p190, a calmodulin (CM)-binding protein purified from vertebrate brain, have demonstrated that this protein, purified as a complex with bound CM, shares a number of properties with myosins (Espindola, F. S., E. M. Espreafico, M. V. Coelho, A. R. Martins, F. R. C. Costa, M. S. Mooseker, and R. E. Larson. 1992. J. Cell Biol. 118:359-368). To determine whether or not p190 was a member of the myosin family of proteins, a set of overlapping cDNAs encoding the full-length protein sequence of chicken brain p190 was isolated and sequenced. Verification that the deduced primary structure was that of p190 was demonstrated through microsequence analysis of a cyanogen bromide peptide generated from chick brain p190. The deduced primary structure of chicken brain p190 revealed that this 1,830-amino acid (aa) 212,509-D) protein is a member of a novel structural class of unconventional myosins that includes the gene products encoded by the dilute locus of mouse and the MYO2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have named the p190-CM complex "myosin-V" based on the results of a detailed sequence comparison of the head domains of 29 myosin heavy chains (hc), which has revealed that this myosin, based on head structure, is the fifth of six distinct structural classes of myosin to be described thus far. Like the presumed products of the mouse dilute and yeast MYO2 genes, the head domain of chicken myosin-V hc (aa 1-764) is linked to a "neck" domain (aa 765-909) consisting of six tandem repeats of an approximately 23-aa "IQ-motif." All known myosins contain at least one such motif at their head-tail junctions; these IQ-motifs may function as calmodulin or light chain binding sites. The tail domain of chicken myosin-V consists of an initial 511 aa predicted to form several segments of coiled-coil alpha helix followed by a terminal 410-aa globular domain (aa, 1,421-1,830). Interestingly, a portion of the tail domain (aa, 1,094-1,830) shares 58% amino acid sequence identity with a 723-aa protein from mouse brain reported to be a glutamic acid decarboxylase. The neck region of chicken myosin-V, which contains the IQ-motifs, was demonstrated to contain the binding sites for CM by analyzing CM binding to bacterially expressed fusion proteins containing the head, neck, and tail domains. Immunolocalization of myosin-V in brain and in cultured cells revealed an unusual distribution for this myosin in both neurons and nonneuronal cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

cDNA encoding the chicken ortholog of the mouse dilute gene product. Sequence comparison reveals a myosin I subfamily with conserved C-terminal domains

We report the cDNA-deduced primary structure of the chicken counterpart of the murine dilute gene product, a member of the myosin I family. Comparison of the chicken and mouse sequences reveals a distinct pattern of domains of high and low sequence conservation. An internal deletion of 25 amino acids probably reflects differential mRNA processing. Compared with other myosin heavy chain molecules, sequence similarity is highest with the MYO2 gene product of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The MYO2 protein, implicated in vectorial vesicle transport, is homologous to the dilute protein over practically its entire length. In addition, the C-terminal domain of the dilute protein is highly similar to a putative glutamic acid decarboxylase sequence cloned from mouse brain. Alternatively, this closely related clone might represent an isoform of the dilute protein derived from a second gene, potentially involved in genetic conditions related to dilute.

Nucleotide sequence and chromosomal assignment of a cDNA encoding the large isoform of human glutamate decarboxylase

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) catalyses the conversion of L-glutamic acid to the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Two forms of human GAD, GAD65 and GAD67, are encoded by two separate genes. A full length human GAD67 cDNA has been isolated from a human frontal cortex cDNA library and the nucleotide sequence determined. The GAD67 gene has been mapped to chromosome 2 using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify specifically the human sequence in rodent/human somatic cell hybrid DNA. This confirms that human GAD67 is not syntenic with the smaller GAD isoform GAD65 which has been assigned to chromosome 10. Production of polyclonal antiserum to a baculovirus-expressed GAD67 enabled immunocytological detection of GAD in the rat brain.

Two human glutamate decarboxylases, 65-kDa GAD and 67-kDa GAD, are each encoded by a single gene

We report the isolation and sequencing of cDNAs encoding two human glutamate decarboxylases (GADs; L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15), GAD65 and GAD67. Human GAD65 cDNA encodes a Mr 65,000 polypeptide, with 585 amino acid residues, whereas human GAD67 encodes a Mr 67,000 polypeptide, with 594 amino acid residues. Both cDNAs direct the synthesis of enzymatically active GADs in bacterial expression systems. Each cDNA hybridizes to a single species of brain mRNA and to a specific set of restriction fragments in human genomic DNA. In situ hybridization of fluorescently labeled GAD probes to human chromosomes localizes the human GAD65 gene to chromosome 10p11.23 and the human GAD67 gene to chromosome 2q31. We conclude that GAD65 and GAD67 each derive from a single separate gene. The cDNAs we describe should allow the bacterial production of test antigens for the diagnosis and prediction of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The amino acid sequence of glutamate decarboxylase from Escherichia coli. Evolutionary relationship between mammalian and bacterial enzymes

The amino acid sequence of glutamate decarboxylase from Escherichia coli was solved by a combination of automated Edman degradation of peptide fragments derived by proteolytic and chemical cleavage and sequencing of DNA. Correct alignment of three peptides, for which no peptide overlaps were available, was achieved by sequencing a 1.1-kbp fragment of DNA produced by a polymerase-chain reaction using primers corresponding to sequences known to be in amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal regions of the protein. Sequence similarity (24% identity) with mammalian glutamate decarboxylase was found to be limited to a 55-residue sequence around the lysine residue that binds the coenzyme. Stronger similarity (38% identity), again confined to the same region, is seen with bacterial pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent histidine decarboxylase.

Glutamate decarboxylases in nonneural cells of rat testis and oviduct: differential expression of GAD65 and GAD67

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its synthetic enzyme, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), are not limited to the nervous system but are also found in nonneural tissues. The mammalian brain contains at least two forms of GAD (GAD67 and GAD65), which differ from each other in size, sequence, immunoreactivity, and their interaction with the cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). We used cDNAs and antibodies specific to GAD65 and GAD67 to study the molecular identity of GADs in peripheral tissues. We detected GAD and GAD mRNAs in rat oviduct and testis. In oviduct, the size of GAD, its response to PLP, its immunoreactivity, and its hybridization to specific RNA and DNA probes all indicate the specific expression of the GAD65 gene. In contrast, rat testis expresses the GAD67 gene. The GAD in these two reproductive tissues is not in neurons but in nonneural cells. The localization of brain GAD and GAD mRNAs in the mucosal epithelial cells of the oviduct and in spermatocytes and spermatids of the testis shows that GAD is not limited to neurons and that GABA may have functions other than neurotransmission.

Increased intracellular gamma-aminobutyric acid selectively lowers the level of the larger of two glutamate decarboxylase proteins in cultured GABAergic neurons from rat cerebral cortex

The regulation of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD; EC 4.1.1.15) was studied by using cultures of cerebral cortical neurons from rat brain grown in serum-free medium. About 50% of the neurons in the cultures were gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic as determined by two double-staining procedures. Immunoblotting experiments with four anti-GAD sera that recognize the two forms to varying degrees, demonstrated that the cultures contained the two forms of GAD that are present in rat brain (apparent molecular masses = 63 and 66 kDa). GAD activity was reduced by 60-70% when intracellular GABA levels were increased by incubating the cultures with the GABA-transaminase inhibitor gamma-vinyl-GABA for greater than 5-10 h or with 1 mM GABA itself. Neither baclofen nor muscimol (100 microM) affected GAD activity. Immunoblotting experiments showed that only the larger of the two forms of GAD (66 kDa) was decreased by elevated GABA levels. These results, together with previous results indicating that the smaller form of GAD is more strongly regulated by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (the cofactor for GAD), suggest that the two forms of GAD are regulated by different mechanisms.

Synthesis and release of neuroactive substances by glial cells

Glia contain, synthesize, or release more than 20 neuroactive compounds including neuropeptides, amino acid transmitters, eicosanoids, steroids, and growth factors. The stimuli that elicit release differ among compounds but include neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, receptor agonists, and elevated external [K+]. The mechanisms of release are poorly understood in most cases. Many of the neuroactive compounds are localized in discrete subpopulations of glia. Thus, glia are equipped to send as well as receive chemical messages and appear to be present as classes of cells with differing abilities to communicate chemically. It is possible that glia are as diverse as neurons in their functional characteristics.

Distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase (Mr 67,000) in the basal ganglia of the rat: an immunohistochemical study with a selective cDNA-generated polyclonal antibody

Distinct isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase, the synthetic enzyme for GABA, exist in brain. Their distribution at the cellular level is not known, because previous studies have been confounded by the lack of monospecificity of available antibodies. We have examined the distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase (Mr 67,000; GAD67) in the basal ganglia of the rat with a polyclonal antibody generated against the protein expressed in bacteria transformed with the corresponding cDNA. This antibody, which is directed against a portion of GAD67 non homologous to other known glutamic acid decarboxylase isoforms, selectively recognizes GAD67 on western blots. We show that GAD67 is present to various degree in all types of GABAergic neurons previously described in these regions. In contrast with results obtained with non-selective antibodies for glutamic acid decarboxylase, GAD67-positive neuronal cell bodies were readily detected in sections of the striatum, pallidum and substantia nigra in the absence of colchicine treatment. Modifications in the immunohistochemical procedure favoured staining of glutamic acid decarboxylase-positive fibres with the same antibody, indicating that GAD67 is also present in axon terminals of GABAergic neurons. The results suggest that GAD67 may be involved in GABA synthesis in both cell bodies and axon terminals of all GABAergic neurons of the basal ganglia, but is particularly abundant or accessible in their cell bodies.

Cloning and primary structure of a human islet isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase from chromosome 10

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD; glutamate decarboxylase, L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15), which catalyzes formation of gamma-aminobutyric acid from L-glutamic acid, is detectable in different isoforms with distinct electrophoretic and kinetic characteristics. GAD has also been implicated as an autoantigen in the vastly differing autoimmune disease stiff-man syndrome and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Despite the differing GAD isoforms, only one type of GAD cDNA (GAD-1), localized to a syntenic region of chromosome 2, has been isolated from rat, mouse, and cat. Using sequence information from GAD-1 to screen a human pancreatic islet cDNA library, we describe the isolation of an additional GAD cDNA (GAD-2), which was mapped to the short arm of human chromosome 10. Genomic Southern blotting with GAD-2 demonstrated a hybridization pattern different from that detected by GAD-1. GAD-2 recognizes a 5.6-kilobase transcript in both islets and brain, in contrast to GAD-1, which detects a 3.7-kilobase transcript in brain only. The deduced 585-amino acid sequence coded for by GAD-2 shows less than 65% identity to previously published, highly conserved GAD-1 brain sequences, which show greater than 96% deduced amino acid sequence homology among the three species. The function of this additional islet GAD isoform and its importance as an autoantigen in insulin-dependent diabetes remain to be determined.

Differential effect of functional olfactory bulb deafferentation on tyrosine hydroxylase and glutamic acid decarboxylase messenger RNA levels in rodent juxtaglomerular neurons

Expression of the dopaminergic phenotype in olfactory bulb (OB) juxtaglomerular neurons (constituting a population of periglomerular and external tufted cells) is dependent upon functional innervation by peripheral olfactory receptors. Loss of functional input in rodents, by either peripheral deafferentation or deprivation of odorant access, results in a profound decrease in the expression of juxtaglomerular tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). We have examined the effects of such treatments on the expression of the neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which is colocalized with TH in the majority of TH-containing juxtaglomerular neurons. Following either chemically induced OB deafferentation in adult mice or unilateral odor deprivation in neonatal rats, steady-state OB GAD messenger RNA levels remained essentially unchanged as assessed by Northern blot analysis 20-40 days after treatment. These results were confirmed by in situ hybridization analysis, which demonstrated a profound loss of juxtaglomerular TH messenger RNA but no accompanying decrease in regionally colocalized GAD message. Since GAD is found in nearly all dopaminergic OB cells, the preservation of juxtaglomerular GAD message implies that olfactory receptor neurons exert a differential transneuronal regulation of TH and GAD gene transcription.