SNAREs and NSF in targeted membrane fusion.
A major current issue in vesicle trafficking is whether NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) and alpha-SNAP (alpha-soluble NSF attachment protein) are required prior to SNARE (SNAP receptor) complex formation to allow vesicle docking, or after docking at a step close to membrane fusion. Recent studies of yeast vacuolar fusion indicated that the requirement for ATP, NSF and alpha-SNAP could be completely satisfied prior to SNARE docking complex assembly; however, the universality of a predocking role for these factors remains to be established. The vacuolar fusion system has also been used to directly demonstrate a requirement for SNARE proteins on both fusing membranes, verifying a central postulate of current fusion models.
Hay
J C
JC
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5428, USA.
Scheller
R H
RH
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000502:physiology; D011992:Endosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000502:physiology*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D052067:Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Attachment Proteins; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000502:physiology; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D052067:Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Attachment Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins