Visualization of SV2A conformations in situ by the use of Protein Tomography

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Oct 31;375(4):491-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.07.145. Epub 2008 Aug 8.

Abstract

The synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), the brain-binding site of the anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV), has been characterized by Protein Tomography. We identified two major conformations of SV2A in mouse brain tissue: first, a compact, funnel-structure with a pore-like opening towards the cytoplasm; second, a more open, V-shaped structure with a cleft-like opening towards the intravesicular space. The large differences between these conformations suggest a high degree of flexibility and support a valve-like mechanism consistent with the postulated transporter role of SV2A. These two conformations are represented both in samples treated with LEV, and in saline-treated samples, which indicates that LEV binding does not cause a large-scale conformational change of SV2A, or lock a specific conformational state of the protein. This study provides the first direct structural data on SV2A, and supports a transporter function suggested by sequence homology to MFS class of transporter proteins.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / chemistry
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Levetiracetam
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron / methods
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Piracetam / analogs & derivatives
  • Piracetam / chemistry
  • Piracetam / pharmacology
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Sv2a protein, mouse
  • Levetiracetam
  • Piracetam