Abundance of low molecular weight phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase in the nerve-ending fraction in the brain

Abstract

The distribution of low molecular weight phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase (LMW-PTP) in subcellular fractions of rat brain tissue was investigated by immunoblotting analysis using anti-LMW-PTP antibody. The enzyme was detected in the 105000 g precipitate in addition to the supernatant of brain homogenate, even after the precipitate was extensively washed, and was abundant in the particulate fraction of nerve endings. Nerve ending LMW-PTP was effectively solubilized by 1% Triton X-100 or 1% deoxycholate, though the enzyme was solubilized by thorough sonication. Two forms of LMW-PTP, designated as LMW-PTP-I and -II, were separated from the nerve ending-rich fraction by chromatofocusing. Nerve endings PTP-I and -II were different in molecular weight, isoelectric point and susceptibility to activators and inhibitors. The properties of nerve endings LMWPTP-I and -II were similar to those of cytosolic LMW-PTP-I and -II. The abundance of LMW- PTP in nerve endings as well as in the cytosol suggests that this enzyme plays an important role in synaptic function.