SNARE complex alters the interactions of the Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin 1 with lipid bilayers. 2021

Maria Bykhovskaia
Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Electronic address: mbykhovs@med.wayne.edu.

Release of neuronal transmitters from nerve terminals is triggered by the molecular Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1). Syt1 is a transmembrane protein attached to the synaptic vesicle (SV), and its cytosolic region comprises two domains, C2A and C2B, which are thought to penetrate into lipid bilayers upon Ca2+ binding. Before fusion, SVs become attached to the presynaptic membrane (PM) by the four-helical SNARE complex, which is thought to bind the C2B domain in vivo. To understand how the interactions of Syt1 with lipid bilayers and the SNARE complex trigger fusion, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at a microsecond scale. We investigated how the isolated C2 modules and the C2AB tandem of Syt1 interact with membranes mimicking either SV or PM. The simulations showed that the C2AB tandem can either bridge SV and PM or insert into PM with its Ca2+-bound tips and that the latter configuration is more favorable. Surprisingly, C2 domains did not cooperate in penetrating into PM but instead mutually hindered their insertion into the bilayer. To test whether the interaction of Syt1 with lipid bilayers could be affected by the C2B-SNARE attachment, we performed systematic conformational analysis of the C2AB-SNARE complex. Notably, we found that the C2B-SNARE interface precludes the coupling of C2 domains and promotes their insertion into PM. We performed the MD simulations of the prefusion protein complex positioned between the lipid bilayers mimicking PM and SV, and our results demonstrated in silico that the presence of the Ca2+ bound C2AB tandem promotes lipid merging. Altogether, our MD simulations elucidated the role of the Syt1-SNARE interactions in the fusion process and produced the dynamic all-atom model of the prefusion protein-lipid complex.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008051 Lipid Bilayers Layers of lipid molecules which are two molecules thick. Bilayer systems are frequently studied as models of biological membranes. Bilayers, Lipid,Bilayer, Lipid,Lipid Bilayer
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
D017434 Protein Structure, Tertiary The level of protein structure in which combinations of secondary protein structures (ALPHA HELICES; BETA SHEETS; loop regions, and AMINO ACID MOTIFS) pack together to form folded shapes. Disulfide bridges between cysteines in two different parts of the polypeptide chain along with other interactions between the chains play a role in the formation and stabilization of tertiary structure. Tertiary Protein Structure,Protein Structures, Tertiary,Tertiary Protein Structures
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
D050857 Synaptotagmins A family of vesicular transport proteins characterized by an N-terminal transmembrane region and two C-terminal calcium-binding domains. Synaptotagmin,Synaptotagmin 11,Synaptotagmin 12,Synaptotagmin 13,Synaptotagmin 14,Synaptotagmin 15,Synaptotagmin 3,Synaptotagmin 4,Synaptotagmin 5,Synaptotagmin 6,Synaptotagmin 7,Synaptotagmin 8,Synaptotagmin 9,Synaptotagmin III,Synaptotagmin IV,Synaptotagmin IX,Synaptotagmin V,Synaptotagmin VI,Synaptotagmin VII,Synaptotagmin VIII,Synaptotagmin XI,Synaptotagmin XII,Synaptotagmin XIII,Synaptotagmin XIV,Synaptotagmin XV,SytIV Protein,SytVII Protein,SytXIII Protein,Tagmin
D050863 Synaptotagmin I A vesicular transport protein expressed predominately in NEURONS. Synaptotagmin helps regulate EXOCYTOSIS of SYNAPTIC VESICLES and appears to serve as a calcium sensor to trigger NEUROTRANSMITTER release. It also acts as a nerve cell receptor for certain BOTULINUM TOXINS. Synaptic Vesicle Protein p65,Synaptotagmin 1,p65 Protein (Synaptotagmin I)
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