Targeting of the 67-kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase to intracellular organelles is mediated by its interaction with the NH2-terminal region of the 65-kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase

J Biol Chem. 1995 Feb 3;270(5):2241-6. doi: 10.1074/jbc.270.5.2241.

Abstract

The two isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), GAD67 and GAD65, synthesize the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid in neurons and pancreatic beta-cells. Previous studies suggest that GAD67 is a soluble cytosolic protein, whereas GAD65 is membrane-associated. Here, we study the intracellular distribution of GAD67 in neurons, pancreatic beta-cells, and fibroblasts transfected either with GAD65 and GAD67 together or with GAD67 alone. Neuronal GAD67 is partially recovered with GAD65 in membrane-containing pellet fractions and Triton X-114 detergent phases. The two proteins co-immunoprecipitate from extracts of brain and GAD65-GAD67 co-transfected fibroblasts, but not when extracts of GAD65 and GAD67 transfected fibroblasts were mixed and used as a starting material for immunoprecipitation. GAD67 is concentrated in the Golgi complex region in GAD65-GAD67 co-transfected fibroblasts, but not in fibroblasts transfected with GAD67 alone. A pool of neuronal GAD67 co-localizes with GAD65 in the Golgi complex region and in many synapses. The two proteins also co-localize in the perinuclear region of some pancreatic beta-cells. GAD67 interacts with the NH2-terminal region of GAD65, even in the absence of palmitoylation of this region of GAD65. Taken together, our results indicate that GAD65-GAD67 association occurs in vivo and is required for the targeting of GAD67 to membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / enzymology
  • Brain / ultrastructure
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Compartmentation
  • Cricetinae
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / metabolism*
  • Golgi Apparatus / enzymology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans / enzymology
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Thalamus / enzymology

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase