Membrane fusion: role of SNAREs and calcium. 2009

Bhanu P Jena
Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. bjena@med.wayne.edu

Life processes are governed at the chemical level, and therefore knowledge of how single molecules interact, provides a fundamental understanding of nature. The molecular mechanism of membrane fusion essential to vital cellular activities such as intracellular transport, hormone secretion, enzyme release, or neurotransmission, involve the assembly and disassembly of a specialized set of proteins present in opposing bilayers. Target membrane proteins at the cell plasma membrane SNAP-25 and syntaxin termed t-SNAREs, and secretory vesicle-associated protein VAMP or v-SNARE, are part of the conserved protein complex involved in fusion of opposing membranes. It has been demonstrated that in the presence of Ca2+, t-SNAREs and v-SNARE in opposing bilayers interact and self-assemble in a circular pattern, to form conducting channels. Such self-assembly of t-/v-SNAREs in a ring conformation occurs only when the respective SNAREs are in association with membrane. X-ray diffraction measurements further demonstrate that t-SNAREs in the target membrane and v-SNARE in the vesicle membrane overcome repulsive forces to bring opposing membranes close to within a distance of 2.8 A. Studies suggest that calcium bridging of the opposing bilayers, lead to release of water from hydrated Ca2+ ions as well as the loosely coordinated water at PO-lipid head groups, leading to membrane destabilization and fusion. The t-/v-SNARE is a tight complex, who's disassembly requires an ATPase called NSF, which functions as a right-handed molecular motor.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008561 Membrane Fusion The adherence and merging of cell membranes, intracellular membranes, or artificial membranes to each other or to viruses, parasites, or interstitial particles through a variety of chemical and physical processes. Fusion, Membrane,Fusions, Membrane,Membrane Fusions
D002118 Calcium A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes. Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002462 Cell Membrane The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D004553 Electric Conductivity The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS. Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
D050600 SNARE Proteins A superfamily of small proteins which are involved in the MEMBRANE FUSION events, intracellular protein trafficking and secretory processes. They share a homologous SNARE motif. The SNARE proteins are divided into subfamilies: QA-SNARES; QB-SNARES; QC-SNARES; and R-SNARES. The formation of a SNARE complex (composed of one each of the four different types SNARE domains (Qa, Qb, Qc, and R)) mediates MEMBRANE FUSION. Following membrane fusion SNARE complexes are dissociated by the NSFs (N-ETHYLMALEIMIDE-SENSITIVE FACTORS), in conjunction with SOLUBLE NSF ATTACHMENT PROTEIN, i.e., SNAPs (no relation to SNAP 25.) SNAP Receptor,SNARE Protein,NSF Attachment Protein Receptor,Receptor, SNAP,SNAP Receptors,SNARE,SNAREs,Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-Sensitive-Factor Attachment Protein Receptor,Target Membrane SNARE Proteins,Target SNARE Proteins,Vesicle SNARE Proteins,Vesicular SNARE Proteins,t-SNARE,tSNAREs,v-SNARE,v-SNAREs,Protein, SNARE,SNARE Proteins, Target,SNARE Proteins, Vesicle,SNARE Proteins, Vesicular,Soluble N ethylmaleimide Sensitive Factor Attachment Protein Receptor,v SNAREs

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