Genetic approach to regulated exocytosis using functional complementation in Paramecium: identification of the ND7 gene required for membrane fusion.
AUTOR(ES)
Skouri, F
RESUMO
Paramecium is a unicellular organism that possesses a specialized pathway for regulated secretion that is amenable to genetic studies. Numerous mutations affecting the process have been isolated over the years, among which is a subclass blocking the terminal step of fusion of the secretory granule with the plasma membrane. We report herein the cloning by functional complementation of one such gene, ND7. The 506-amino acid polypeptide encoded by ND7 is predicted to be a type I integral membrane protein with a highly charged cytosolic domain featuring amphipathic and coiled-coil regions. This structure is compatible with the physiological data on the mutant nd7-1 suggesting that the protein is anchored in the membrane of the secretory granule and that it may interact with other proteins. This work presents the first identification by a genetic approach of a novel gene involved in regulated secretion and establishes Paramecium as a powerful model system for the genetic dissection of this process.
ACESSO AO ARTIGO
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=305714Documentos Relacionados
- Amphipathic amines affect membrane excitability in paramecium: role for bilayer couple.
- Complementation between avirulent Newcastle disease virus and a fusion protein gene expressed from a retrovirus vector: requirements for membrane fusion.
- Focal exocytosis by eosinophils--compound exocytosis and cumulative fusion.
- Identification of a binding site in the disintegrin domain of fertilin required for sperm-egg fusion.
- A novel, single plasmid, approach to in-frame fusion.