Molecular dissection of the photoreceptor ribbon synapse: physical interaction of Bassoon and RIBEYE is essential for the assembly of the ribbon complex

The ribbon complex of retinal photoreceptor synapses represents a specialization of the cytomatrix at the active zone (CAZ) present at conventional synapses. In mice deficient for the CAZ protein Bassoon, ribbons are not anchored to the presynaptic membrane but float freely in the cytoplasm. Exploiting this phenotype, we dissected the molecular structure of the photoreceptor ribbon complex. Identifiable CAZ proteins segregate into two compartments at the ribbon: a ribbon-associated compartment including Piccolo, RIBEYE, CtBP1/BARS, RIM1, and the motor protein KIF3A, and an active zone compartment including RIM2, Munc13-1, a Ca2+ channel α1 subunit, and ERC2/CAST1. A direct interaction between the ribbon-specific protein RIBEYE and Bassoon seems to link the two compartments and is responsible for the physical integrity of the photoreceptor ribbon complex. Finally, we found the RIBEYE homologue CtBP1 at ribbon and conventional synapses, suggesting a novel role for the CtBP/BARS family in the molecular assembly and function of central nervous system synapses

Active zone proteins are dynamically associated with synaptic ribbons in rat pinealocytes

Synaptic ribbons (SRs) are prominent organelles that are abundant in the ribbon synapses of sensory neurons where they represent a specialization of the cytomatrix at the active zone (CAZ). SRs occur not only in neurons, but also in neuroendocrine pinealocytes where their function is still obscure. In this study, we report that pinealocyte SRs are associated with CAZ proteins such as Bassoon, Piccolo, CtBP1, Munc13–1, and the motorprotein KIF3A and, therefore, consist of a protein complex that resembles the ribbon complex of retinal and other sensory ribbon synapses. The pinealocyte ribbon complex is biochemically dynamic. Its protein composition changes in favor of Bassoon, Piccolo, and Munc13–1 at night and in favor of KIF3A during the day, whereas CtBP1 is equally present during the night and day. The diurnal dynamics of the ribbon complex persist under constant darkness and decrease after stimulus deprivation of the pineal gland by constant light. Our findings indicate that neuroendocrine pinealocytes possess a protein complex that resembles the CAZ of ribbon synapses in sensory organs and whose dynamics are under circadian regulation

Direct visualization of newly synthesized target proteins in situ

Protein synthesis is a dynamic process that tunes the cellular proteome in response to internal and external demands. Metabolic labeling approaches identify the general proteomic response but cannot visualize specific newly synthesized proteins within cells. Here we describe a technique that couples noncanonical amino acid tagging or puromycylation with the proximity ligation assay to visualize specific newly synthesized proteins and monitor their origin, redistribution and turnover in situ

Cell-type-specific metabolic labeling of nascent proteomes in vivo

Although advances in protein labeling methods have made it possible to measure the proteome of mixed cell populations, it has not been possible to isolate cell-type-specific proteomes in vivo. This is because the existing methods for metabolic protein labeling in vivo access all cell types. We report the development of a transgenic mouse line where Cre-recombinase-induced expression of a mutant methionyl-tRNA synthetase (L274G) enables the cell-type-specific labeling of nascent proteins with a non-canonical amino-acid and click chemistry. Using immunoblotting, imaging and mass spectrometry, we use our transgenic mouse to label and analyze proteins in excitatory principal neurons and Purkinje neurons in vitro (brain slices) and in vivo. We discover more than 200 proteins that are differentially regulated in hippocampal excitatory neurons by exposing mice to an environment with enriched sensory cues. Our approach can be used to isolate, analyze and quantitate cell-type-specific proteomes and their dynamics in healthy and diseased tissues

Photoelectron Spectra of Group V Compounds, III Methylhalogen Compounds MeEHal2 and Me2EHal

The He I photoelectron spectra of certain MeEHal2 and Me2EHal compounds (E = (N), P, As, Sb; Hal = (F), Cl, Br, J; Me = CH3) are interpreted in terms of a “composite molecule” approach derived for C3vCs systems. Although an “internal standard” is missing here, substituent group-orbitals (nHal, C—H) may be classified with respect to their orientations in space (R, V, T). Ionisation energies are assigned according to this assumption. PE data of the isoelectronic EMe3/EHal3 compounds and of related molecules (Me2EH, MePH2, CF3PBr2) as well as EHMO calculations with partial inclusion of spin orbit coupling are used to confirm the assignments given for Me2EHal/MeEHal2 series. Correlations between PE ionisation energies (e.g. nE (IE)) and molecular or atomic properties are critically revised and discussed

Photoelectron Spectra of Group V Compounds, VI. Methyl- and Trifluoromethyl-Cyanophosphines, MenP(CN)3-n and (CF3)nΡ(CN)3-n (n = 0, 1, 2, 3)

The He I photoelectron spectra of the series RnP(CN)3-n (R = Me, CF3; n = 0, 1, 2, 3) and of Me2ECN (E = N, P, As) are interpreted. The PE assignments are based on the comparison with the PE data of analogous halogeno and hydrogen derivatives as well as related cyano compounds and on simple MO considerations (composite molecule-approach). Hyperconjugative and inductive effects of the substituents CN, Me, F, Cl, and especially CF3 are assessed. The various effects of changing substituents or central atoms within the series are used to confirm the interpretation. The differing electronic structures of halogeno and cyano (pseudohalogeno) compounds are discussed on the basis of their PE spectra

Photoelectron spectra of group 5 compounds. 2, Conformational analysis of diphosphine (P2H4)

The photoelectron spectra of certain hydrazines, disulfides, peroxides, and aminophosphines have been assigned to a unique conformer, being present under normal PE spectroscopic conditions. In contrast, different rotamers could be detected in the PE spectra of hexahydropyridazines and tetrasubstituted diphosphines and diarsines and were assumed for polysilanes. The composition of the rotameric mixture (transgauche) obtained for tetramethyldiphosphine from the relative PE peak areas had to be revised