SNARE complexes and neuroexocytosis: how many, how close?

Trends Biochem Sci

Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche and Istituto CNR di Neuroscienze, Università di Padova, Viale G. Colombo n. 3, 35121 Padova, Italy.

Published: July 2005

Regulated secretion is an essential process in all eukaryotic cells. The release of molecules contained inside exocytic granules and synaptic vesicles is mediated by the assembly of a SNARE complex formed by the coil-coiling of three proteins: SNAP-25, syntaxin and VAMP/synaptobrevin. It seems that SNARE complexes assemble together in rosette-shaped super-complexes but there is controversy on the actual number (N) of copies of SNARE complexes that are necessary to mediate exocytosis. We discuss attempts to determine the value of N and suggest that N varies with the type of exocytic vesicles. In addition, we propose that the N value in neuroexocytosis can be estimated by the comparative use of different types of botulinum neurotoxins.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2005.05.002DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

snare complexes
12
snare
4
complexes neuroexocytosis
4
neuroexocytosis close?
4
close? regulated
4
regulated secretion
4
secretion essential
4
essential process
4
process eukaryotic
4
eukaryotic cells
4

Similar Publications

Background: Radix Bupleuri (RB) and acetaminophen (APAP) are two popular medications having potential hepatotoxicity and substantial risks of irrational co-administration and excessive use, posing an overlooked danger of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Autophagy is a protective mechanism against APAP-induced DILI, yet, saikosaponin d (SSd) in RB has been characterized to regulate autophagy, although the current findings are controversial.

Purpose: We aim to elucidate whether SSd promoted APAP-induced liver injury by regulating autophagy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

How SNARE proteins generate force to fuse membranes.

Biophys J

January 2025

Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027. Electronic address:

Membrane fusion is central to fundamental cellular processes such as exocytosis, when an intracellular machinery fuses membrane-enclosed vesicles to the plasma membrane for contents release. The core machinery components are the SNARE proteins. SNARE complexation pulls the membranes together, but the fusion mechanism remains unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: During mammalian spermatogenesis, the cytoskeleton system plays a significant role in morphological changes. Male infertility such as non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) might be explained by studies of the cytoskeletal system during spermatogenesis.

Methods: The cytoskeleton, scaffold, and actin-binding genes were analyzed by microarray and bioinformatics (771 spermatogenic cellsgenes and 774 Sertoli cell genes).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Botulinum toxin (BoNT), the most potent substance known to humans, likely evolved not to kill but to serve other biological purposes. While its use in cosmetic applications is well known, its medical utility has become increasingly significant due to the intricacies of its structure and function. The toxin's structural complexity enables it to target specific cellular processes with remarkable precision, making it an invaluable tool in both basic and applied biomedical research.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: A leadless pacemaker (LLPM) was recommended for a patient with intermittent complete heart block and near-syncope.

Methods And Results: Delivery of LLPM is through a large sheath that has limited deflection and steerability. This report describes the successful deployment of a ventricular LLPM in a patient with prior surgical correction of AV septal defect with subsequent significant right atrial enlargement.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!