Seventeen a-subunit isoforms of paramecium V-ATPase provide high specialization in localization and function.

ABSTRACT: In the Paramecium tetraurelia genome, 17 genes encoding the 100-kDa-subunit (a-subunit) of the vacuolar-proton-ATPase were identified, representing by far the largest number of a-subunit genes encountered in any organism investigated so far. They group into nine clusters, eight pairs with >82% amino acid identity and one single gene. Green fluorescent protein-tagging of representatives of the nine clusters revealed highly specific targeting to at least seven different compartments, among them dense core secretory vesicles (trichocysts), the contractile vacuole complex, and phagosomes. RNA interference for two pairs confirmed their functional specialization in their target compartments: silencing of the trichocyst-specific form affected this secretory pathway, whereas silencing of the contr

SUBMITTER: Wassmer T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1356600 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature