title: The native membrane fusion machinery in cells.
abstract: Recombinant SNAREs have been demonstrated as the minimal membrane fusion machinery. The participation of additional proteins in the regulation of membrane fusion has been suggested. In this study we provide nanometer-resolution images of native NSF oligomers and SNARE complexes isolated from neurons and the pancreas. Our study reveals the presence of new coiled rod-like structures in association with the SNARE complex only in neuronal tissue. Neuronal SNAREs were found coiled and super-coiled with these structures. The existence of NSF as pentamers in its native state is also demonstrated. The extent of coiling and super-coiling of SNAREs may regulate the potency and efficacy of membrane fusion in cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery & Biomedical Engineering Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: C Q
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Khuong
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Abdus Sattar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Satchi
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Jena
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008954:Models, Biological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D052066:N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010179:Pancreas / Q000502:physiology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D051381:Rats; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; D052066:N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Proteins; C498737:Nsf protein, rat