Stable gene silencing of synaptotagmin I in rat PC12 cells inhibits Ca2+-evoked release of catecholamine

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2006 Aug;291(2):C270-81. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00539.2005. Epub 2006 Feb 8.

Abstract

Synaptotagmin (syt) I is a Ca2+-binding protein that is well accepted as a major sensor for Ca2+-regulated release of transmitter. However, controversy remains as to whether syt I is the only protein that can function in this role and whether the remaining syt family members also function as Ca2+ sensors. In this study, we generated a PC12 cell line that continuously expresses a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to silence expression of syt I by RNA interference. Immunoblot and immunocytochemistry experiments demonstrate that expression of syt I was specifically silenced in cells that stably integrate the shRNA-syt I compared with control cells stably transfected with the empty shRNA vector. The other predominantly expressed syt isoform, syt IX, was not affected, nor was the expression of the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins when syt I levels were knocked down. Resting Ca2+ and stimulated Ca2+ influx imaged with fura-2 were not altered in syt I knockdown cells. However, evoked release of catecholamine detected by carbon fiber amperometry and HPLC was significantly reduced, although not abolished. Human syt I rescued the release events in the syt I knockdown cells. The reduction of stimulated catecholamine release in the syt I knockdown cells strongly suggests that although syt I is clearly involved in catecholamine release, it is not the only protein to regulate stimulated release in PC12 cells, and another protein likely has a role as a Ca2+ sensor for regulated release of transmitter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Catecholamines / metabolism*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Membrane Fusion / physiology*
  • PC12 Cells
  • Rats
  • Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Synaptotagmin I / genetics
  • Synaptotagmin I / metabolism*

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Synaptotagmin I
  • Syt1 protein, rat
  • Calcium