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Specificity of zinc binding to myelin basic protein

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Abstract

Z2+ appears to stabilize the myelin sheath but the mechanism of this effect is unknown. In a previous report we have shown that zinc binds to CNS myelin basic protein (MBP) in the presence of phosphate and this results in MBP aggregation. For this paper we used a solid phase zinc blotting assay to identify which myelin proteins bind zinc. MBP and a 58 kDa band were found to be the major targets of65Zn binding. Moreover, using fluorescence, light scattering and electron microscopy we investigated the binding of zinc and other cations to purified MBP in solution. Among the cations tested for their ability to interfere with the binding of zinc, the most effective were cadmium, mercury and copper, but only cadmium and mercury increased the scattering intensity, whereas MBP aggregation was not inhibited by copper ions. Thus, the effect of zinc on the formation of MBP clusters seems to be specific.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Biology, Defence and A.F. Technology, University of Basilicata, 85100, Potenza, Italy

    P. Riccio

  2. Dept. of Physics, Section of Biophysics, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

    S. Giovannelli, R. Favilla & P. Cavatorta

  3. Center for the Study of Mitochondria and Energetic Metabolism, National Council for Research (CNR), University of Bari, 70126, Bari, Italy

    P. Riccio & A. Bobba

  4. Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bari, Italy

    E. Romito, A. Fasano & E. Quagliariello

  5. Ints. of Nematology, CNR, 70126, Bari, Italy

    T. Bleve-Zacheo

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  1. P. Riccio
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  2. S. Giovannelli
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  3. A. Bobba
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  8. E. Quagliariello
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  9. P. Cavatorta
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Riccio, P., Giovannelli, S., Bobba, A. et al. Specificity of zinc binding to myelin basic protein. Neurochem Res 20, 1107–1113 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00995566

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