SNARE complexes prepare for membrane fusion.
According to a popular theory, the three presynaptic SNARE proteins (syntaxin 1, synaptobrevin 2 and SNAP-25) drive neuroexocytosis by forming a complex that forces vesicle and plasma membranes together. However, individual reactions in this process have been difficult to resolve. Now, two groups have succeeded in studying a very early and a very late step in the fusion process.
Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany. jsoeren@gwdg.de
Jakob B
JB
Sørensen
D000818:Animals; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D050827:Syntaxin 1; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D050600:SNARE Proteins; C494212:STX1A protein, human; D050827:Syntaxin 1; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins