title: Synaptic vesicle fusion without SNARE transmembrane regions.
abstract: Diverse roles in membrane fusion have been proposed for the transmembrane regions (TMRs) of SNARE proteins, including formation of channel-like transmembrane pores. Reporting in Neuron, Zhou et al. (2013) show that lipid-anchored SNAREs lacking TMRs can support neurotransmitter release, suggesting that SNAREs function primarily as power engines that force membranes together.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6000 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. Electronic address: jose@arnie.swmed.edu.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rizo
authors.affiliation: Departments of Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6000 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D050600:SNARE Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D050600:SNARE Proteins