Lovastatin Can Be Used To Produce Non-prenylated ykt6 From PC12 Cells

Abstract

• SNARE Proteins are involved in membrane fusion • ykt6 is a v-SNARE of unknown function in the cell • Expressed at high levels in neurons, suggesting specific function in brain. • ykt6 exists in two pools in the cell: membrane bound and free, cytosolic protein. • Contains 2 domains, the SNARE binding motif (which contains the CCAIM prenylation site) and amino-terminal (NT) domain which is involved in localization of the protein. • Membrane bound protein can bind to other SNAREs to form SNARE complexes, while cytosolic cannot. The mechanism behind this is unknown. •We hypothesize that the addition of a prenyl group (a small hydrophobic fatty acid) results in a conformational change in the cytosolic form, rendering it inactive. • To test this, PC12 cells were treated with the drug lovastatin, which inhibits prenylation and purified non-prenylated ykt6 tested for SNARE binding activity.