The specificity of SNARE-dependent fusion is encoded in the SNARE motif.
Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins constitute the core of the fusion machinery, and isolated SNAREs fuse membranes with exquisite specificity by cognate pairing. Most SNAREs have a membrane-spanning region, an N-terminal domain, and a membrane proximal SNARE motif domain. Although the SNARE motif is critical for SNARE complex formation, is it the sole determinant of the specificity of SNARE-dependent fusion? To test this, we make use of a SNARE complex functioning in the late endosomal compartment in yeast. Studying this complex and the previously identified early endosomal SNARE complex, we find that the specificity of fusion resides in the SNARE motifs.
Cellular Biochemistry and Biophysics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Fabienne
F
Paumet
Vahid
V
Rahimian
James E
JE
Rothman
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D001483:Base Sequence; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D004705:Endocytosis; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D050683:R-SNARE Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
D004271:DNA, Fungal; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D050683:R-SNARE Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D050600:SNARE Proteins; C083242:SNC2 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins