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Postmortem accumulation of tubulin in postsynaptic density preparations
Journal of Neurochemistry
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Tubulin subunits increase in postsynaptic density (PSD) preparations over time postmortem. This tubulin enrichment suggests it is not a primary structural component of PSDs in living brain tissue.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Postsynaptic densities (PSDs) are crucial structures at neuronal synapses.
- Understanding the protein composition of PSDs is vital for synaptic function research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in protein composition of PSD preparations over time.
- To identify specific proteins that become enriched in PSDs postmortem.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of PSD preparations from canine cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and rat forebrain.
- Analysis of protein enrichment using gel electrophoresis and immunology.
- Quantification of protein content via gel scanning.
Main Results:
- Two protein bands, identified as tubulin subunits, showed time-dependent enrichment in PSD preparations.
- Tubulin increase was observed primarily in PSD fractions, not other isolated synaptic structures.
- Maximum tubulin content in PSDs was determined to be 2.5% of total protein in rapidly isolated samples.
Conclusions:
- Tubulin subunits accumulate in PSD preparations after animal death.
- The observed tubulin enrichment suggests it is not a major structural protein of PSDs in vivo.