title: SNARE-ing the structures of Sec1/Munc18 proteins.
abstract: Membrane fusion is essential for cellular transport in eukaryotes. Abnormalities contribute to a wide range of diseases including diabetes and neurological disorders. A key regulator of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion is the Sec1/Munc18 (SM) protein family. Universal structural features of SM proteins have been identified that affect the way these interact with their partner Syntaxin SNARE proteins. Whilst the molecular basis for SM-regulated SNARE complex formation has been extensively studied, it remains poorly understood. Recent crystal structures of SM proteins alone or in complex have provided new insight. Here we examine the available structural information on SM proteins for clues to how these enigmatic proteins might regulate SNARE complex assembly and membrane fusion.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Julia K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Archbold
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Whitten
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Shu-Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Brett M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. Electronic address: j.martin@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D051938:Munc18 Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D050765:Qa-SNARE Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D051938:Munc18 Proteins; D050765:Qa-SNARE Proteins; C497937:STXBP1 protein, human