Fusion of the endoplasmic reticulum by membrane-bound GTPases

Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2016 Dec:60:105-111. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.06.001. Epub 2016 Jun 3.

Abstract

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane forms an elaborate network of tubules and sheets that is continuously remodeled. This dynamic behavior requires membrane fusion that is mediated by dynamin-like GTPases: the atlastins in metazoans and Sey1p and related proteins in yeast and plants. Crystal structures of the cytosolic domains of these membrane proteins and biochemical experiments can now be integrated into a model that explains many aspects of the molecular mechanism by which these membrane-bound GTPases mediate membrane fusion.

Keywords: Atlastin; Endoplasmic reticulum; Membrane fusion.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / chemistry
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Fusion*
  • Models, Molecular
  • SNARE Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • SNARE Proteins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases