title: Planar Supported Membranes with Mobile SNARE Proteins and Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy Assays to Study Synaptic Vesicle Fusion.
abstract: Synaptic vesicle membrane fusion, the process by which neurotransmitter gets released at the presynaptic membrane is mediated by a complex interplay between proteins and lipids. The realization that the lipid bilayer is not just a passive environment where other molecular players like SNARE proteins act, but is itself actively involved in the process, makes the development of biochemical and biophysical assays particularly challenging. We summarizein vitroassays that use planar supported membranes and fluorescence microscopy to address some of the open questions regarding the molecular mechanisms of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion. Most of the assays discussed in this mini-review were developed in our lab over the last 15 years. We emphasize the sample requirements that we found are important for the successful application of these methods.
authors.affiliation: Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kiessling
authors.affiliation: Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Binyong
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Alex J B
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kreutzberger
authors.affiliation: Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Lukas K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Tamm
keywords: SNARE; TIRF; fluorescence microscopy; supported membrane; synaptic vesicle fusion