Identification of L-ferritin in neuromelanin granules of the human substantia nigra: a targeted proteomics approach.

ABSTRACT: In the pigmented dopaminergic neurons of the human substantia nigra pars compacta the system relevant in iron storage is the polymer neuromelanin (NM). Although in most cells this function is mainly accomplished by ferritin, this protein complex appears not to be expressed in NM-containing neurons. Nevertheless the conceivable presence of iron-storing proteins as part of the NM granules has recently been discussed on the basis of Mössbauer spectroscopy and synchrotron x-ray microspectroscopy. Intriguingly by combining subcellular fractionation of NM granules, peptide sequencing via tandem mass spectrometry, and the additional confirmation by multiple reaction monitoring and immunogold labeling for electron microscopy, L-ferritin could now be unambiguously identified and localized in NM gra

SUBMITTER: Tribl F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2722774 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature