Vangl2, the planner cell polarity protein, is complexed with postsynaptic density protein PSD-95

Vangl is a component of the non-canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity pathway, which is implicated in various cell polarity functions. However, little is known about its synaptic localization in neurons. Here, we show that Vangl1 and Vangl2 are expressed in adult rat neurons, where they are tightly associated with the postsynaptic density (PSD) fraction. Vangl2 forms a complex with PSD-95 through direct binding. Furthermore, the C-terminal PDZ-binding motif of Vangl2 is required for localization to dendritic spines. These results suggest that Vangl2 is a new component of the PSD that forms a complex with PSD-95 in the adult brain. Structured summary of protein interaction: Vangl2, Vangl1 and PSD-95 colocalize by cosedimentation (View interaction) PSD-95 physically interacts with Vangl1 by pull down (View Interaction: 1, 2) Vangl2 binds to PSD-95 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2) PSD-95 physically interacts with Vangl2 by pull down (View Interaction: 1, 2) Vangl2 physically interacts with GluN2B, PSD-95 and Prickle2 by pull down (View interaction) Vangl1 binds to PSD-95 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2) Vangl2physically interacts with Prickle2 and PSD-95 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction) Vangl2 physically interacts with GluN1, Prickle2, PSD-95 and GluN2B by pull down (View interaction) PSD-95 physically interacts with GluN2B, GluN1 and Vangl2 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction) (C) 2013 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.