Synaptic vesicle fusion without SNARE transmembrane regions

Josep Rizo; Junjie Xu

doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2013.10.010

Synaptic vesicle fusion without SNARE transmembrane regions

Dev Cell. 2013 Oct 28;27(2):124-126. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.10.010.

Authors

Josep Rizo¹, Junjie Xu²

Affiliations

¹ 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.
² Departments of Biophysics, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6000 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.

PMID: 24176637
DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.10.010

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.

Publication types

Comment

MeSH terms

Animals
Membrane Fusion / physiology*
Membrane Lipids / metabolism*
Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism*
SNARE Proteins / metabolism*
Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
Synaptic Vesicles / metabolism*

Substances

Membrane Lipids
Neurotransmitter Agents
SNARE Proteins

Grants and funding

R01 NS037200/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States