Related Experiment Videos
Doc2: a novel brain protein having two repeated C2-like domains
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 17, 1995
Summary
Researchers discovered Doc2 (Double C2), a novel brain protein with two C2 domains. This protein interacts with calcium and phospholipids, suggesting it acts as a calcium sensor in neurotransmitter release.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Synaptotagmin and Rabphilin-3A, proteins with C2 domains, are involved in neurotransmitter release.
- These proteins interact with calcium (Ca2+) and phospholipids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a novel protein with C2 domains from human brain.
- To investigate the protein's function in calcium-mediated processes.
Main Methods:
- Human brain cDNA library screening.
- cDNA isolation and sequencing.
- Recombinant protein expression and purification.
- Biochemical assays for Ca2+ and phospholipid interaction.
Main Results:
- A novel cDNA encoding a 400-amino acid protein (Doc2) with two C2-like domains was isolated.
- Purified recombinant Doc2 protein demonstrated interaction with Ca2+ and phospholipids.
- Doc2 is exclusively expressed in the brain and concentrated in synaptic vesicle fractions.
Conclusions:
- Doc2 is a novel brain-specific protein.
- Doc2 functions as a calcium sensor in the process of neurotransmitter release.