Interaction domains of neurofilament light chain and brain spectrin

Biochem J. 1991 Apr 15;275 ( Pt 2)(Pt 2):521-7. doi: 10.1042/bj2750521.

Abstract

We have previously demonstrated that brain spectrin binds to the low-molecular-mass subunit of neurofilaments (NF-L) [Frappier, Regnouf & Pradel (1987) Eur. J. Biochem. 169, 651-657]. In the present study, we seek to locate their respective binding domains. In the first part we demonstrate that brain spectrin binds to a 20 kDa domain of NF-L. This domain is part of the rod domain of neurofilaments and plays a role in the polymerization process. However, the polymerization state does not seem to have any influence on the interaction. In the second part, we provide evidence that NF-L binds to the beta-subunit of not only brain spectrin but also human and avian erythrocyte spectrins. The microtubule-associated protein, MAP2, which has also been shown to bind to microfilaments and neurofilaments, binds to the same domain of NF-L as spectrin does. Finally, among the tryptic peptides of brain spectrin, we show that some peptides of low molecular mass (35, 25, 20 and 18 kDa) co-sediment with either NF-L or F-actin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Chickens
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Intermediate Filaments / metabolism
  • Intermediate Filaments / ultrastructure
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Molecular Weight
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Protein Binding
  • Spectrin / isolation & purification
  • Spectrin / metabolism
  • Spectrin / ultrastructure
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism*
  • Swine

Substances

  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Spectrin