Characterization of Ribeye subunits in zebrafish hair cells reveals that exogenous Ribeye B-domain and CtBP1 localize to the basal ends of synaptic ribbons

PLoS One. 2014 Sep 10;9(9):e107256. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107256. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Synaptic ribbons are presynaptic structures formed by the self-association of RIBEYE-the main structural component of ribbon synapses. RIBEYE consists of two domains: a unique N-terminal A-domain and a C-terminal B-domain that is identical to the transcription co-repressor C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2). Previous studies in cell lines have shown that RIBEYE A-domain alone is sufficient to form ribbon-like aggregates and that both A- and B- domains form homo-and heterotypic interactions. As these interactions are likely the basis for synaptic-ribbon assembly and structural plasticity, we wanted to examine how zebrafish Ribeye A- and B- domains interact with synaptic ribbons in vivo. To that end, we characterized the localization of exogenously expressed Ribeye A- and B- domains and the closely related protein, CtBP1, in the hair cells of transgenic zebrafish larvae. Unexpectedly, exogenously expressed Ribeye A-domain showed variable patterns of localization in hair cells; one zebrafish paralog of A-domain failed to self-associate or localize to synaptic ribbons, while the other self-assembled but sometimes failed to localize to synaptic ribbons. By contrast, Ribeye B-domain/CtBP2 was robustly localized to synaptic ribbons. Moreover, both exogenously expressed B-domain/CtBP2 and CtBP1 were preferentially localized to the basal end of ribbons adjacent to the postsynaptic density. Overexpression of B-domain/CtBP2 also appeared to affect synaptic-ribbon composition; endogenous levels of ribbon-localized Ribeye were significantly reduced as hair cells matured in B-domain/CtBP2 transgenic larvae compared to wild-type. These results reveal how exogenously expressed Ribeye domains interact with synaptic ribbons, and suggest a potential organization of elements within the ribbon body.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Eye Proteins / chemistry
  • Eye Proteins / genetics*
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Hair Cells, Auditory / metabolism*
  • Hair Cells, Auditory / ultrastructure
  • Larva / genetics
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Larva / metabolism
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / genetics*
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Synapses / ultrastructure
  • Synaptic Transmission
  • Transfection
  • Zebrafish / genetics*
  • Zebrafish / growth & development
  • Zebrafish / metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins / chemistry
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Eye Proteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • ctbp2a protein, zebrafish