(12) A single mutation near the C-terminus in (/(-fold protein family causes a defect in protein processing
Introduction
The α/β hydrolase fold family is a superfamily of proteins all sharing a common fold motif. Their functions extend from hormonal signaling (thyroglobulin) to intercellular communication and synapse formation (neuroligins NLs), and hydrolytic activity (cholinesterases ChEs). Amino acid sequences of closely related members such as the ChEs and NLs are highly conserved, both among family members and among animal species. Of particular interest is the arginine near the C-teminus because Arg to Cys mutation from both NL-3 and BuChE is a naturally occurring human mutation: R451C in NL-3 appeared in a twin set with autism spectrum disorders [1] and the homologous mutation R386C in BuChE is seen in a patient with post-succinylcholine apnea [3]. The mutation R395C in AChE has not been observed in the natural population. To study whether the introduction of a cysteine may interfere, by a common mechanism, with the processing of the α/β hydrolase fold proteins, we analyzed the cellular consequences of the RC mutation in the trans-membrane spanning dimer of NL-1 and in two forms, soluble and GPI-anchored, of AChE.
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Results and discussion
The RC mutation was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis in the T548 soluble monomeric form, containing a stop codon at amino acid 548, and in the GPI-anchored dimer. Expression of the AChE constructs in HEK cells was analyzed by Ellman assay [4]. The R395C form of T548 is undetectable in the medium and GPI R395C shows low activity when measured in the intact cell, indicating that it is not transported to the cell surface. Western blot analysis confirms that protein expression of both T548
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