SYNAPHIN - A PROTEIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE DOCKING FUSION COMPLEX IN PRESYNAPTIC TERMINALS/

We previously identified a 19 kDa protein associated with the docking/ fusion complex involved in neurotransmitter release. A cDNA for this p rotein was cloned from a bovine brain cDNA library using an oligonucle otide probe based on its partial amino acid sequence. The protein (nam ed synaphin) en coded by the cDNA is a very hydrophilic protein rich i n glutamic acid and lysine residues. It lacks any putative transmembra ne segments or strongly hydrophobic domains. Immunoblots with antibodi es against synaphin detected the protein only in the nervous system am ong the tissues examined In brain, it exists mainly in the soluble fra ction and is scarce in synaptic vesicles. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc .