How could SNARE proteins open a fusion pore?

Physiology (Bethesda). 2014 Jul;29(4):278-85. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00026.2013.

Abstract

The SNARE (Soluble NSF Attachment protein REceptor) complex, which in mammalian neurosecretory cells is composed of the proteins synaptobrevin 2 (also called VAMP2), syntaxin, and SNAP-25, plays a key role in vesicle fusion. In this review, we discuss the hypothesis that, in neurosecretory cells, fusion pore formation is directly accomplished by a conformational change in the SNARE complex via movement of the transmembrane domains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Membrane Fusion / physiology*
  • Neurosecretory Systems / physiology
  • Protein Conformation
  • SNARE Proteins / chemistry
  • SNARE Proteins / physiology*
  • Synaptic Vesicles / physiology*

Substances

  • SNARE Proteins