[PDF][PDF] Identification of PSD-95 palmitoylating enzymes

M Fukata, Y Fukata, H Adesnik, RA Nicoll, DS Bredt - Neuron, 2004 - cell.com
M Fukata, Y Fukata, H Adesnik, RA Nicoll, DS Bredt
Neuron, 2004cell.com
Palmitoylation is a lipid modification that plays a critical role in protein trafficking and function
throughout the nervous system. Palmitoylation of PSD-95 is essential for its regulation of
AMPA receptors and synaptic plasticity. The enzymes that mediate palmitoyl acyl transfer to
PSD-95 have not yet been identified; however, proteins containing a DHHC cysteine-rich
domain mediate palmitoyl acyl transferase activity in yeast. Here, we isolated 23 mammalian
DHHC proteins and found that a subset specifically palmitoylated PSD-95 in vitro and in …
Abstract
Palmitoylation is a lipid modification that plays a critical role in protein trafficking and function throughout the nervous system. Palmitoylation of PSD-95 is essential for its regulation of AMPA receptors and synaptic plasticity. The enzymes that mediate palmitoyl acyl transfer to PSD-95 have not yet been identified; however, proteins containing a DHHC cysteine-rich domain mediate palmitoyl acyl transferase activity in yeast. Here, we isolated 23 mammalian DHHC proteins and found that a subset specifically palmitoylated PSD-95 in vitro and in vivo. These PSD-95 palmitoyl transferases (P-PATs) showed substrate specificity, as they did not all enhance palmitoylation of Lck, SNAP-25b, Gαs, or H-Ras in cultured cells. Inhibition of P-PAT activity in neurons reduced palmitoylation and synaptic clustering of PSD-95 and diminished AMPA receptor-mediated neurotransmission. This study suggests that P-PATs regulate synaptic function through PSD-95 palmitoylation.
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