SNARE Regulation

Authors

Deborah Adams, Brigham Young University
Dr. Dixon Woodbury, Brigham Young University

Keywords

SNARE proteins, syntaxin, synaptobrevin, membrane fusion

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

SNARE proteins are involved in transporting molecules within our cells, but their mechanism of action is not well known (Figure 1). It is established that SNARE proteins aid in the process of vesicles docking at target membranes. When neuronal cells are excited calcium enters the cell and the docked vesicles fuse to the target membrane releasing their contents into the intercellular space called the synapse. It is not exactly known by what method calcium induces membrane fusion but it has been shown that syntaxin and synaptobrevin, or VAMP, are minimal machinery for membrane fusion (1).

Recommended Citation

Adams, Deborah and Woodbury, Dr. Dixon (2013) "SNARE Regulation," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1404.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1404