title: Membrane fusion between liposomes containing SNARE proteins involved in mast cell exocytosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We monitored the membrane fusion of liposomes to determine if the minimal components of soluble N-ethyl maleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE), which is involved in mast cell exocytosis, have fusogenic activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three core components of SNARE were reconstituted into liposomes. Membrane fusion between liposomes containing vesicle associated membrane protein (VAMP) -7 or -8 and liposomes containing synaptosomal-associated protein 23 kDa (SNAP23) and syntaxin-3 or -4 was monitored by fluorescence resonance energy transfer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The combination of SNAP23/syntaxin-3/VAMP-8 showed the most efficient liposome-liposome fusogenic activity. Liposomes with VAMP-7 exhibited poor fusogenic activity regardless of the syntaxin isoform.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The core components of SNAP23, syntaxin-3, and VAMP-8 appear to be minimal machinery to induce membrane fusion, while VAMP-7 appears to be unessential for membrane fusion.
authors.affiliation: Nagoya City University, Mizuho-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakiyama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tadokoro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hirashima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D050600:SNARE Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D050600:SNARE Proteins