ORGANIZATION OF CARBOHYDRATE IN MOUSE SYNAPTOSOMAL PLASMA-MEMBRANE

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 18  (3) , 381-399
Abstract
Analysis of synaptosomal plasma membrane (SPM) from mouse brain by SDS [sodium dodecyl sulfate] gel electrophoresis revealed a large number of glycoprotein and glycolipid species, as distinguished by periodic acid-Schiff or by the distribution of in vivo incorporated 3H-fucose label. The topographical distribution of this carbohydrate in the plasma membrane was examined by labeling intact synaptosomes and isolated membrane with galactose oxidase (EC 1.1.2.9)-3H-NaBH4. In both, gangliosides and a wide spectrum of glycoprotein species were labeled. Extraction of SPM with 0.05 N NaOH at 0.degree. C removed about 2/3 of the membrane''s protein. Gel electrophoresis of the solubilized material revealed partial or complete extraction of a large number of polypeptide species; however, all of the glycoproteins and glycolipids remained in the insoluble pellet. These results indicated a highly asymmetric arrangement of glycoproteins and glycolipids in SPM; most or all of these species reside on the external surface of the synaptosome, accessible to galactose oxidase. The glycoproteins appear to be more deeply buried in the lipid bilayer than the other polypeptide species, as found in other systems.

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