The 93-kDa glycine receptor-associated protein binds to tubulin

J Biol Chem. 1991 Nov 25;266(33):22242-5.

Abstract

A peripheral membrane protein with a relative molecular mass of 93,000 Da is associated with cytoplasmic domains of the inhibitory glycine receptor of mammalian spinal cord. Here, evidence is given that this 93-kDa protein binds to polymerized tubulin. First, tubulin cofractionated with the 93-kDa protein upon affinity purification of the glycine receptor. Second, tubulin bound to the isolated 93-kDa protein in an overlay procedure. Third, in assays containing the purified glycine receptor, the 93-kDa protein as well as the glycine receptor alpha and beta subunits coassembled with tubulin and microtubules. The interaction of the 93-kDa protein with tubulin displayed high affinity (KD approximately 2.5 nM) and significant cooperativity (Hill coefficient approximately 2.1) and approached a stoichiometry of approximately 1:4 under saturating conditions. These data suggest that the 93-kDa protein anchors the glycine receptor at postsynaptic sites via binding to subsynaptic tubulin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Glycine / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Molecular Weight
  • Protein Binding
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Glycine
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / isolation & purification
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / metabolism*
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Tubulin / isolation & purification
  • Tubulin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Receptors, Glycine
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • Tubulin
  • Glycine