Identification of Pin1-binding phosphorylated proteins in the mouse brain

To determine the role of Pin1 in the neurotransmission pathway, Pin1-binding proteins in mouse brain extract were identified. The Pin1-binding proteins were extracted from mouse brain homogenate, and the trypsin-digested peptides were analyzed by nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Proteins that involve the neurotransmission pathway, such as synapsin I, synapsin II, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II (CaMKII), were identified in a Mascot search. Pull-down and immunoprecipitation assay indicated that Pin1 binds CaMKII in a phosphorylation-specific manner. It was assumed that Pin1 participates in the neurotransmission pathway involving the phosphorylation signal by CaMKII.