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Updated: May 10, 2026
09:18
Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence
Published on: January 29, 2019
Mover is a homomeric phospho-protein present on synaptic vesicles
Saheeb Ahmed1, Nina Wittenmayer, Thomas Kremer
1European Neuroscience Institute, Goettingen, Germany.
Plos One
|June 1, 2013
Summary
Mover is a synaptic vesicle protein whose localization depends on phosphorylation and homophilic interaction. These processes are crucial for targeting Mover to presynaptic sites, impacting synaptic vesicle exocytosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Synaptic vesicle exocytosis is vital for neuronal communication.
- Proteins mediating this process are largely conserved across species.
- Mover, a protein identified via yeast-2-hybrid assay with bassoon, was hypothesized to be involved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and localization of the Mover protein.
- To determine if Mover is a synaptic vesicle protein.
- To elucidate the mechanisms regulating Mover's association with synaptic vesicles and presynaptic sites.
Main Methods:
- Flotation assays and carbonate stripping to assess membrane association.
- Mass spectrometry and immunogold labeling for protein identification and localization.
- Western blot analysis with a phospho-specific antibody to detect Mover phosphorylation.
- Yeast-2-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation, and optical assays to study homomerization.
Main Results:
- Mover is confirmed as a peripheral synaptic vesicle membrane protein.
- Mover is a phospho-protein, and its phosphorylation is essential for synaptic vesicle localization.
- Mover undergoes homophilic interaction, mediated by N- and C-terminal regions.
- Deletion of a homomeric interaction region disrupts presynaptic targeting of Mover.
Conclusions:
- Mover is a synaptic vesicle-associated protein.
- Phosphorylation and homophilic multimerization are critical for Mover's synaptic vesicle and presynaptic site targeting.
- These findings provide insights into the regulation of synaptic vesicle trafficking and exocytosis.
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