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Abstract #18533 Published in IGR 3-3
Characterization of myocilin-myocilin interactions
Fautsch MP; Johnson DHInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2001; 42: 2324-2331
PURPOSE: To determine whether myocilin (MYOC; also referred to as TIGR) is present as a complex in human aqueous humor, whether part of the complex formation may be due to MYOC-MYOC interactions, and to characterize the sites of interaction. METHODS: Human aqueous humor was analyzed by using a get filtration column for the identification of MYOC complexes. MYOC-MYOC interactions were studied with a yeast two-hybrid system. Expression of full-length and truncated MYOC proteins in AH109 yeast was analyzed for growth and color on minimal medium. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to selectively mutate eight leucine residues within the leucine zipper motif. In vitro transcription and translation was used to verify yeast two-hybrid analysis. RESULTS: MYOC was found to be present in human aqueous humor as a complex ranging from 120-180 kDa. Expression of full-length MYOC in yeast as well as in vitro binding studies revealed that MYOC can interact with itself. MYOC-MYOC interactions occurred mainly with amino acids 117-166, a region containing a leucine zipper domain. Glycine substitution for selective leucine residues confirmed that MYOC-MYOC interactions occurred mainly within the leucine zipper domain. CONCLUSIONS: MYOC is present in human aqueous humor, not as a monomer but as a complex. Part of this complex may form due to MYOC-MYOC interactions that take place mainly within the leucine zipper domain.
Dr M.P. Fautsch, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. fautsch@mayo.edu
Classification:
1.3 Pathogenesis (Part of: 1 General aspects)
