Abstract |
A pathogenic truncation of an amber mutation at codon 145 (Y145STOP) in Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease (GSS) was investigated through the real-time imaging in living cells, by utilizing GFP-PrP constructs. GFP-PrP(1-144) exhibited an aberrant localization to mitochondria in mouse neuroblastoma neuro2a (N2a) and HpL3-4 cells, a hippocampal cell line established from prnp gene-ablated mice, whereas full-length GFP-PrP did not. The aberrant mitochondrial localization was also confirmed by Western blot analysis. Since GFP-PrP(1-121), as previously reported, and full-length GFP-PrP do not exhibit such mitochondrial localization, the mitochondrial localization of GFP-PrP(1-144) requires not only PrP residues 121-144 (in human sequence) but also COOH-terminal truncation in the current experimental condition. Subsequently, the GFP-PrP(1-144) induced a change in the mitochondrial innermembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), release of cytochrome c from the intermembrane space into the cytosol, and DNA fragmentation in these cells. Non-fluorescent PrP(1-144) also induced the DNA fragmentation in N2a and HpL3-4 cells after the proteasomal inhibition. These data may provide clues as to the molecular mechanism of the neurotoxic property of Y145STOP mutation. Furthermore, immunoelectron microscopy revealed numerous electron-dense deposits in mitochondria clusters of GFP-PrP(1-144)-transfected N2a cells, whereas no deposit was detected in the cells transfected with full-length GFP-PrP. Co-localization of GFP/PrP-immunogold particles with porin-immunogold particles as a mitochondrial marker was observed in such electron-dense vesicular foci, resembling those found in autophagic vacuoles forming secondary lysosomes. Whether such electron-dense deposits may serve as a seed for the growth of amyloid plaques, a characteristic feature of GSS with Y145STOP, awaits further investigations.
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Authors | Naomi S Hachiya, Kota Watanabe, Makiko Y Kawabata, Akiko Jozuka, Yoshimichi Kozuka, Yuji Sakasegawa, Kiyotoshi Kaneko |
Journal | Biochemical and biophysical research communications
(Biochem Biophys Res Commun)
Vol. 327
Issue 3
Pg. 894-9
(Feb 18 2005)
ISSN: 0006-291X [Print] United States |
PMID | 15649429
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Codon
- Neuroprotective Agents
- Prions
- Cytochromes c
- DNA
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Topics |
- Animals
- Apoptosis
- Blotting, Western
- Codon
(genetics)
- Cytochromes c
(metabolism)
- Cytosol
(metabolism)
- DNA
(genetics, metabolism)
- Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease
(genetics, metabolism)
- Lysosomes
(metabolism)
- Mice
- Mitochondria
(physiology)
- Mutation
- Neuroblastoma
(metabolism)
- Neurons
(cytology, metabolism)
- Neuroprotective Agents
(pharmacology)
- Prions
(chemistry, genetics, metabolism, physiology)
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