Association and Colocalization of G Protein α Subunits and Purkinje Cell protein 2 (Pcp2) in Mammalian Cerebellum

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2002

Department

Biological Sciences; Psychology

Abstract

Previously, we have demonstrated a novel interaction between Gαo protein and Purkinje cell protein‐2 (Pcp2, also known as L7) in vitro and in transfected cells (Luo and Denker [1999] J. Biol. Chem. 274:10685–10688). Pcp2 is uniquely expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and in retinal bipolar neurons, and it may function as a cell‐type specific modulator for G protein‐mediated cell signaling. This interaction has been further evaluated in the present studies. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments reveal that Pcp2 associates with Gαo in vivo in mouse cerebellum and eye extract. Pcp2 also associate with Gαi2 in the cerebellum. No detectable associations of Pcp2 with Gαz and Gαq subunits are observed. The association of Gαo and Pcp2 is detected at postnatal day 1 (P1), and the association remains stable from day 3 (P3) until adulthood. Further, immunofluorescent double labeling and confocal microscopy suggest that Pcp2 and Gαo are colocalized in the distal processes of cerebellar Purkinje cells including axonal endings and dendritic spines. Taken together, these findings indicate colocalization and association of Gαo and Pcp2 in cerebellum and suggest a functional role in regions of synaptic activity. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Publication Title

Journal of Neuroscience

Volume

70

Issue

5

First Page

631

Last Page

637

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