Fusion of cells by flipped SNAREs

Science. 2003 Jun 13;300(5626):1745-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1084909.

Abstract

The SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) hypothesis suggests that pairs of proteins known as vesicle (v-) SNAREs and target membrane (t-) SNAREs interact specifically to control and mediate intracellular membrane fusion events. Here, cells expressing the interacting domains of v- and t-SNAREs on the cell surface were found to fuse spontaneously, demonstrating that SNAREs are sufficient to fuse biological membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / chemistry
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism*
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Fusion*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • Membrane Fusion / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Folding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • R-SNARE Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25
  • Syntaxin 1
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • R-SNARE Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25
  • Syntaxin 1