Internalization of a GFP-tetanus toxin C-terminal fragment fusion protein at mature mouse neuromuscular junctions

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2005 Sep;30(1):79-89. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2005.05.008.

Abstract

The distribution, dynamics, internalization, and retrograde axonal traffic of a fusion protein composed of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the atoxic C-terminal fragment of tetanus toxin (TTC) were studied after its in vivo injection. Confocal microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the fusion protein (GFP-TTC) rapidly clustered in motor nerve terminals of the neuromuscular junction. Clathrin-coated pits, and axolemma infoldings located between active zones appeared to be involved in the internalization of the fusion protein. Biochemical analysis of detergent-extracted neuromuscular preparations showed that the GFP-TTC fusion protein was associated with lipid microdomains. We suggest that GFP-TTC clustering in these lipid microdomains favors the recruitment of other proteins involved in its endocytosis and internalization in motor nerve terminals. During its retrograde trafficking, GFP-TTC accumulated in different axonal compartments than those used by cholera toxin B-subunit suggesting that these two proteins are transported by different pathways and cargos.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axonal Transport / physiology
  • Female
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / pharmacokinetics*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism
  • Nerve Endings / metabolism
  • Nerve Endings / ultrastructure
  • Neuromuscular Junction / metabolism*
  • Neuromuscular Junction / ultrastructure
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacokinetics*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacokinetics
  • Tetanus Toxin / pharmacokinetics*

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Tetanus Toxin
  • tetanus toxin fragment C
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins