Munc13 proteins constitute a family of three highly homologous molecules (Munc13-1, Munc13-2 and Munc13-3). With the exception of a ubiquitously expressed Munc13-2 splice variant, Munc13 proteins are brain-specific. Munc13-1 has a central priming function in synaptic vesicle exocytosis from glutamatergic synapses. In order to identify Munc13-like proteins that may regulate secretory processes in non-glutamatergic neurons or non-neuronal cells, we developed protein profiles for two Munc13-homology-domains (MHDs). MHDs are present in a wide variety of proteins, some of which have previously been implicated in membrane trafficking reactions. Taking advantage of partial sequences in the human expressed sequence tag (EST) database, we characterized a novel, ubiquitously expressed, rat protein (Munc13-4) that belongs to a subfamily of Munc13-like molecules, in which the typical Munc13-like domain structure is conserved. Munc13-4 is predominantly expressed in lung where it is localized to goblet cells of the bronchial epithelium and to alveolar type II cells, both of which are cell types with secretory function. In the present study we identify a group of novel proteins, some of which may function in a Munc13-like manner to regulate membrane trafficking. The MHD profiles described in the present study are useful tools for the identification of Munc13-like proteins, that would otherwise have remained undetected.
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July 2000
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Research Article|
June 26 2000
Definition of Munc13-homology-domains and characterization of a novel ubiquitously expressed Munc13 isoform
Henriette KOCH;
Henriette KOCH
*Max-Planck-Institut für experimentelle Medizin, AG Molekulare Neurobiologie, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Kay HOFMANN;
Kay HOFMANN
†MEMOREC Stoffel GmbH, Bioinformatics Group, Stoeckheimer Weg 1, D-50829 Köln, Germany
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Nils BROSE
Nils BROSE
1
*Max-Planck-Institut für experimentelle Medizin, AG Molekulare Neurobiologie, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail brose@mail.mpiem.gwdg.de).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
January 04 2000
Revision Received:
March 16 2000
Accepted:
March 31 2000
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
The Biochemical Society, London © 2000
2000
Biochem J (2000) 349 (1): 247–253.
Article history
Received:
January 04 2000
Revision Received:
March 16 2000
Accepted:
March 31 2000
Citation
Henriette KOCH, Kay HOFMANN, Nils BROSE; Definition of Munc13-homology-domains and characterization of a novel ubiquitously expressed Munc13 isoform. Biochem J 1 July 2000; 349 (1): 247–253. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bj3490247
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