Characterization and purification of a soluble protein controlling Ca-channel activity in paramecium

Nobuyuki Haga, Michael Forte, Rajeev Ramanathan, Todd Hennessey, Mihoko Takahashi, Ching Kung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

The analysis of the voltage-sensitive Ca++ channel of the unicellular eucaryote, Paramecium has been extended to a biochemical level based on recent observations that the transfer of cytoplasm from wild-type cells into mutants lacking Ca++-channel function ("pawn" in P. tetraurelia and "CNR" in P. caudatum) causes mutant cells to regain Ca++-channel function. We have microinjected various cytoplasmic fractions into mutant cells and measured the restored Ca++-channel function using a convenient behavioral assay. Following the "curing" activity, we characterized and purified the component from wild-type cytoplasm that can restore the function missing in cells carrying mutations in the cnrC gene. The curing factor is not an RNA, but a heat-labile, -SH-containing protein that appears to affect existing mutant channels on the ciliary membrane. We have purified this factor over 500-fold from the soluble cytoplasm using conventional techniques. The protein is of low apparent molecular weight (<30,000 daltons), acidic, soluble, and does not have the properties of calmodulin.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)71-78
Number of pages8
JournalCell
Volume39
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1984
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characterization and purification of a soluble protein controlling Ca-channel activity in paramecium'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this