A new splice variant of glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP epsilon, interacts with the presenilin proteins

J Biol Chem. 2002 Aug 16;277(33):29983-91. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112121200. Epub 2002 Jun 10.

Abstract

We describe a new human isoform, GFAP epsilon, of the intermediary filament protein GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). GFAP epsilon mRNA is the result of alternative splicing and a new polyadenylation signal, and thus GFAP epsilon has a new C-terminal protein sequence. This provides GFAP epsilon with the capacity for specific binding of presenilin proteins in yeast and in vitro. Our observations suggest a direct link between the presenilins and the cytoskeleton where GFAP epsilon is incorporated. Mutations in GFAP and presenilins are associated with Alexander disease and Alzheimer's disease, respectively. Accordingly, GFAP epsilon should be taken into consideration when studying neurodegenerative diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Exons
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / genetics
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Presenilin-1
  • Presenilin-2
  • Protein Binding
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Membrane Proteins
  • PSEN1 protein, human
  • PSEN2 protein, human
  • Presenilin-1
  • Presenilin-2

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AJ306447