Distribution of the P2X2 receptor subunit of the ATP-gated ion channels in the rat central nervous system.

The distribution of the P2X2 receptor subunit of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-gated ion channels was examined in the adult rat central nervous system (CNS) by using P2X2 receptor-specific antisera and riboprobe-based in situ hybridisation. P2X2 receptor mRNA expression matched the P2X2 receptor protein localisation. An extensive expression pattern was observed, including: olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, habenula, thalamic and subthalamic nuclei, caudate putamen, posteromedial amygdalo-hippocampal and amygdalo-cortical nuclei, substantia nigra pars compacta, ventromedial and arcuate hypothalamic nuclei, supraoptic nucleus, tuberomammillary nucleus, mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, dorsal raphe, locus coeruleus, medial parabrachial nucleus, tegmental areas, pontine nuclei, red nucleus, lateral superior olive, cochlear nuclei, spinal trigeminal nuclei, cranial motor nuclei, ventrolateral medulla, area postrema, nucleus of solitary tract, and cerebellar cortex. In the spinal cord, P2X2 receptor expression was highest in the dorsal horn, with significant neuronal labeling in the ventral horn and intermediolateral cell column. The identification of extensive P2X2 receptor immunoreactivity and mRNA distribution within the CNS demonstrated here provides a basis for the P2X receptor antagonist pharmacology reported in electrophysiological studies. These data support the role for extracellular ATP acting as a fast neurotransmitter at pre- and postsynaptic sites in processes such as sensory transmission, sensory-motor integration, motor and autonomic control, and in neuronal phenomena such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD). Additionally, labelling of neuroglia and fibre tracts supports a diverse role for extracellular ATP in CNS homeostasis.

Functionalized hyperbranched polyethylene powder supports.

[reaction: see text] Polyethylene powders with useful loadings of functional groups are accessible by hyperbranched grafting chemistry. Using a 200 microm diameter high-density powder, loadings of up to 0.4 mmol/g of CO(2)H groups are attained. The carboxylic acid groups in the resulting powders can be further functionalized covalently or ionically and resulting powders have the physical durability and solvent resistance associated with polyethylene itself.

A variant of the bovine noradrenaline transporter reveals the importance of the C-terminal region for correct targeting to the membrane and functional expression.

We have characterized a cDNA clone which encodes a variant (bNAT2) of the bovine noradrenaline transporter. This cDNA differs from the previously identified bovine noradrenaline transporter (bNAT1) in the sequence encoding part of the cytoplasmic-facing C-terminus and the 3'-untranslated region. The bNAT1 and bNAT2 cDNA clones are encoded by a 5.8 and 3.6 kb mRNA species respectively. The bNAT1 and bNAT2 proteins, which are identical apart from their C-terminal 31 and 18 residues, were stably expressed in HEK293 cells. Cells expressing bNAT1 showed a high level of desipramine-sensitive [3H]noradrenaline uptake activity, whereas no activity was present in bNAT2 cells. The bNAT1 and bNAT2 proteins were present as major 80 and 50 kDa species respectively. Cells expressing bNAT1 showed strong immunostaining of the plasma membrane, whereas bNAT2 was present in the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi region. Treatment of membrane samples from bNAT1 cells with peptide N-glycosidase F resulted in the formation of a predominantly 50 kDa species, but little effect was observed after similar treatment of bNAT2 cell membranes. These results indicate that bNAT2 is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and that the glycosylation of this variant differs from that of bNAT1. The characterization of bNAT2 and its comparison with bNAT1 highlight the importance of the cytoplasmic-facing C-terminus for the intracellular trafficking of neurotransmitter transporters.

Localization of the noradrenaline transporter in rat adrenal medulla and PC12 cells: evidence for its association with secretory granules in PC12 cells.

The noradrenaline transporter (NAT) is present in noradrenergic neurons and a few other specialized cells such as adrenal medullary chromaffin cells and the rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line. We have raised antibodies to a 49-residue segment (NATM2) of the extracellular region (residues 184-232) of bovine NAT. Affinity-purified NATM2 antibodies specifically recognized an 80-kDa band in PC12 cell membranes by western blotting. Bands of a similar size were also detected in membranes from human neuroblastoma (SK-N-SH) cells expressing endogenous NAT and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells stably expressing bovine NAT. Immunocytochemistry of rat adrenal tissue showed that NAT staining was colocalized with tyrosine hydroxylase in medullary chromaffin cells. Most NAT immunoreactivity in rat adrenal chromaffin and PC12 cells was present in the cytoplasm and had a punctate appearance. Cell surface biotinylation experiments in PC12 cells confirmed that only a minor fraction of the NAT was present at the cell surface. Subcellular fractionation of PC12 cells showed that relatively little NAT colocalized with plasma membrane, synaptic-like microvesicles, recycling endosomes, or trans-Golgi vesicles. Most of the NAT was associated with [3H]noradrenaline-containing secretory granules. Following nerve growth factor treatment, NAT was localized to the growing tip of neurites. This distribution was similar to the secretory granule marker secretogranin I. We conclude that the majority of NAT is present intracellularly in secretory granules and suggest that NAT may undergo regulated trafficking in PC12 cells.