Characterization of the interactions between the glycine transporters GLYT1 and GLYT2 and the SNARE protein syntaxin 1A

In this study we have examined the effect of the SNARE protein syntaxin 1A on the glycine transporters GLYT1 and GLYT2. Our results demonstrate a func tional and physical interaction between both glycine transporters and synta xin 1A, Co-transfection of syntaxin 1A with GLYT1 or GLYT2 in COS cells res ulted in approximately 40% inhibition in glycine transport. This inhibition was reversed by the syntaxin 1A-binding protein, Munc18, Furthermore, immu noprecipitation studies showed a physical interaction between syntaxin 1A a nd both transporters in COS cells and in rat brain tissue. Finally, we conc lude that this physical interaction resulted in a partial removal of the gl ycine transporters from the plasma membrane as demonstrated by biotinylatio n studies. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.