Changing partners
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to describe the structure of the complex of syntaxin 1a with neuronal Sec1 (nSec1). nSec1 is bound to syntaxin 1a, with syntaxin's H3 helix distorted. It is possible that syntaxin 1a has been shifted into an intermediate conformation, somewhere between closed and open. However, if nSec1 does activate syntaxin 1a, then other components must also be required, as nSec1 alone binds tightly to syntaxin and prevents SNARE-complex assembly. The researchers therefore suggest that SNARE-complex assembly is prompted by other factors, which bind to nSec1. Subsequently, nSec1 changes conformation and releases syntaxin in an open conformation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Ca2+-dependent and -independent activities of neural and non-neural synaptotagmins
Article Abstract:
Similar clathrin-AP2 binding properties and particular Ca2+ -dependent interactions with phospholipids and syntaxins are shown by various synaptotagmins (Syts). Interactions of the Syts with neural and non-neural syntaxins depict exocytosis but Syts binding to AP2 indicates endocytosis. The binding character of Syts IV, VI and VIII is Ca2+ -independent. At low concentration of Ca2+, Syts III and VII bind to phopholipids and syntaxins. The Syts I, II and V bind phospholipids at low Ca2+ concentrations and bind syntaxins at high Ca2+ concentrations.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
A fusion of new ideas
Article Abstract:
Scientists believe that transport vesicles use v-SNARE-configured proteins from donor organelle membranes to bind with complimentary t-SNARE-configured proteins on the target membrane. The SNARE hypothesis is described in detail. However, recent genetics research shows that an N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) is also involved in the process before membrane fusion occurs. Further research is required to establish NSF's exact role in the physiological process.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Making smooth moves. Disruption and sequence identification of 2,000 genes in mouse embryonic stem cells
- Abstracts: Home-related and home-independent orientation of displaced pigeons with and without olfactory access to environmental air
- Abstracts: Identifying predators and fates of grassland passerine nests using miniature video cameras. Indices of population size for burrowing mammals
- Abstracts: Transporter-independent processing of HIV-1 envelope protein for recognition by CD8+ T cells. Moving in mysterious ways
- Abstracts: A Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease. Dead end for neurodegeneration? Parkinson's pathology in a fly