scholarly journals N-terminal domain of complexin independently activates calcium-triggered fusion

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (32) ◽  
pp. E4698-E4707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Lai ◽  
Ucheor B. Choi ◽  
Yunxiang Zhang ◽  
Minglei Zhao ◽  
Richard A. Pfuetzner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Binding ◽  
Snare Complex ◽  
Cooperative Interaction ◽  
Binding Property ◽  
Triggered Release ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Single Vesicle

Complexin activates Ca2+-triggered neurotransmitter release and regulates spontaneous release in the presynaptic terminal by cooperating with the neuronal soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and the Ca2+-sensor synaptotagmin. The N-terminal domain of complexin is important for activation, but its molecular mechanism is still poorly understood. Here, we observed that a split pair of N-terminal and central domain fragments of complexin is sufficient to activate Ca2+-triggered release using a reconstituted single-vesicle fusion assay, suggesting that the N-terminal domain acts as an independent module within the synaptic fusion machinery. The N-terminal domain can also interact independently with membranes, which is enhanced by a cooperative interaction with the neuronal SNARE complex. We show by mutagenesis that membrane binding of the N-terminal domain is essential for activation of Ca2+-triggered fusion. Consistent with the membrane-binding property, the N-terminal domain can be substituted by the influenza virus hemagglutinin fusion peptide, and this chimera also activates Ca2+-triggered fusion. Membrane binding of the N-terminal domain of complexin therefore cooperates with the other fusogenic elements of the synaptic fusion machinery during Ca2+-triggered release.

scholarly journals HOPS Proofreads the trans-SNARE Complex for Yeast Vacuole Fusion

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 2500-2508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J. Starai ◽  
Christopher M. Hickey ◽  
William Wickner
Keyword(s):  
Snare Complex ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Fusion Event ◽  
Sm Proteins ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Domain Structures ◽  
Vacuole Fusion ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Optimal Fusion ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase

The fusion of yeast vacuoles, like other organelles, requires a Rab-family guanosine triphosphatase (Ypt7p), a Rab effector and Sec1/Munc18 (SM) complex termed HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting), and soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs). The central 0-layer of the four bundled vacuolar SNAREs requires the wild-type three glutaminyl (Q) and one arginyl (R) residues for optimal fusion. Alterations of this layer dramatically increase the Km value for SNAREs to assemble trans-SNARE complexes and to fuse. We now find that added purified HOPS complex strongly suppresses the fusion of vacuoles bearing 0-layer alterations, but it has little effect on the fusion of vacuoles with wild-type SNAREs. HOPS proofreads at two levels, inhibiting the formation of trans-SNARE complexes with altered 0-layers and suppressing the ability of these mismatched 0-layer trans-SNARE complexes to support membrane fusion. HOPS proofreading also extends to other parts of the SNARE complex, because it suppresses the fusion of trans-SNARE complexes formed without the N-terminal Phox homology domain of Vam7p (Qc). Unlike some other SM proteins, HOPS proofreading does not require the Vam3p (Qa) N-terminal domain. HOPS thus proofreads SNARE domain and N-terminal domain structures and regulates the fusion capacity of trans-SNARE complexes, only allowing full function for wild-type SNARE configurations. This is the most direct evidence to date that HOPS is directly involved in the fusion event.

scholarly journals Munc18a clusters SNARE-bearing liposomes prior to trans-SNARE zippering

2017 ◽  
Vol 474 (19) ◽  
pp. 3339-3354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Grant Arnold ◽  
Pratikshya Adhikari ◽  
Baobin Kang ◽  
Hao Xu (徐昊)
Keyword(s):  
Snare Complex ◽  
Binary Interaction ◽  
Fusion Reactions ◽  
Sm Proteins ◽  
Attachment Protein ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Vesicle Docking ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Snare Complex Formation

Sec1–Munc18 (SM) proteins co-operate with SNAREs {SNAP [soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) attachment protein] receptors} to mediate membrane fusion in eukaryotic cells. Studies of Munc18a/Munc18-1/Stxbp1 in neurotransmission suggest that SM proteins accelerate fusion kinetics primarily by activating the partially zippered trans-SNARE complex. However, accumulating evidence has argued for additional roles for SM proteins in earlier steps in the fusion cascade. Here, we investigate the function of Munc18a in reconstituted exocytic reactions mediated by neuronal and non-neuronal SNAREs. We show that Munc18a plays a direct role in promoting proteoliposome clustering, underlying vesicle docking during exocytosis. In the three different fusion reactions examined, Munc18a-dependent clustering requires an intact N-terminal peptide (N-peptide) motif in syntaxin that mediates the binary interaction between syntaxin and Munc18a. Importantly, clustering is preserved under inhibitory conditions that abolish both trans-SNARE complex formation and lipid mixing, indicating that Munc18a promotes membrane clustering in a step that is independent of trans-SNARE zippering and activation.

scholarly journals Stability, folding dynamics, and long-range conformational transition of the synaptic t-SNARE complex

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (50) ◽  
pp. E8031-E8040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinming Zhang ◽  
Aleksander A. Rebane ◽  
Lu Ma ◽  
Feng Li ◽  
Junyi Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Conformational Transition ◽  
Snare Complex ◽  
Structure Stability ◽  
Helix Bundle ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Ionic Layer

Synaptic soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) couple their stepwise folding to fusion of synaptic vesicles with plasma membranes. In this process, three SNAREs assemble into a stable four-helix bundle. Arguably, the first and rate-limiting step of SNARE assembly is the formation of an activated binary target (t)-SNARE complex on the target plasma membrane, which then zippers with the vesicle (v)-SNARE on the vesicle to drive membrane fusion. However, the t-SNARE complex readily misfolds, and its structure, stability, and dynamics are elusive. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, we modeled the synaptic t-SNARE complex as a parallel three-helix bundle with a small frayed C terminus. The helical bundle sequentially folded in an N-terminal domain (NTD) and a C-terminal domain (CTD) separated by a central ionic layer, with total unfolding energy of ∼17 kBT, where kB is the Boltzmann constant and T is 300 K. Peptide binding to the CTD activated the t-SNARE complex to initiate NTD zippering with the v-SNARE, a mechanism likely shared by the mammalian uncoordinated-18-1 protein (Munc18-1). The NTD zippering then dramatically stabilized the CTD, facilitating further SNARE zippering. The subtle bidirectional t-SNARE conformational switch was mediated by the ionic layer. Thus, the t-SNARE complex acted as a switch to enable fast and controlled SNARE zippering required for synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmission.

scholarly journals Membrane Binding of α-Synuclein Stimulates Expansion of SNARE-Dependent Fusion Pore

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Khounlo ◽  
Brenden J. D. Hawk ◽  
Tung-Mei Khu ◽  
Gyeongji Yoo ◽  
Nam Ki Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Membrane Binding ◽  
Snare Complex ◽  
Fusion Pore ◽  
Fusion Inhibitors ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
Fusion Pores ◽  
Single Vesicle ◽  
Pore Expansion

SNARE-dependent membrane fusion is essential for neurotransmitter release at the synapse. Recently, α-synuclein has emerged as an important regulator for membrane fusion. Misfolded α-synuclein oligomers are potent fusion inhibitors. However, the function of normal α-synuclein has been elusive. Here, we use the single vesicle-to-supported bilayer fusion assay to dissect the role of α-synuclein in membrane fusion. The assay employs 10 kD Rhodamine B-dextran as the content probe that can detect fusion pores larger than ∼6 nm. We find that the SNARE complex alone is inefficient at dilating fusion pores. However, α-synuclein dramatically increases the probability as well as the duration of large pores. When the SNARE-interacting C-terminal region of α-synuclein was truncated, the mutant behaves the same as the wild-type. However, the double proline mutants compromising membrane-binding show significantly reduced effects on fusion pore expansion. Thus, our results suggest that α-synuclein stimulates fusion pore expansion specifically through its membrane binding.

scholarly journals Multiple mechanisms determine ER network morphology during the cell cycle in Xenopus egg extracts

2013 ◽  
Vol 203 (5) ◽  
pp. 801-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songyu Wang ◽  
Fabian B. Romano ◽  
Christine M. Field ◽  
Tim J. Mitchison ◽  
Tom A. Rapoport
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Organizing Center ◽  
Xenopus Egg ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Xenopus Egg Extracts ◽  
Network Morphology

In metazoans the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) changes during the cell cycle, with the nuclear envelope (NE) disassembling and reassembling during mitosis and the peripheral ER undergoing extensive remodeling. Here we address how ER morphology is generated during the cell cycle using crude and fractionated Xenopus laevis egg extracts. We show that in interphase the ER is concentrated at the microtubule (MT)-organizing center by dynein and is spread by outward extension of ER tubules through their association with plus ends of growing MTs. Fusion of membranes into an ER network is dependent on the guanosine triphosphatase atlastin (ATL). NE assembly requires fusion by both ATL and ER-soluble N-ethyl-maleimide–sensitive factor adaptor protein receptors. In mitotic extracts, the ER converts into a network of sheets connected by ER tubules and loses most of its interactions with MTs. Together, these results indicate that fusion of ER membranes by ATL and interaction of ER with growing MT ends and dynein cooperate to generate distinct ER morphologies during the cell cycle.

scholarly journals Yeast vacuolar HOPS, regulated by its kinase, exploits affinities for acidic lipids and Rab:GTP for membrane binding and to catalyze tethering and fusion

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Orr ◽  
William Wickner ◽  
Scott F. Rusin ◽  
Arminja N. Kettenbach ◽  
Michael Zick
Keyword(s):  
Protein Sorting ◽  
Rab Gtpase ◽  
Attachment Protein ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Membrane Tethering ◽  
Rab Effector ◽  
Supporting Membrane ◽  
Acidic Lipids

Fusion of yeast vacuoles requires the Rab GTPase Ypt7p, four SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptors), the SNARE disassembly chaperones Sec17p/Sec18p, vacuolar lipids, and the Rab-effector complex HOPS (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting). Two HOPS subunits have direct affinity for Ypt7p. Although vacuolar fusion has been reconstituted with purified components, the functional relationships between individual lipids and Ypt7p:GTP have remained unclear. We now report that acidic lipids function with Ypt7p as coreceptors for HOPS, supporting membrane tethering and fusion. After phosphorylation by the vacuolar kinase Yck3p, phospho-HOPS needs both Ypt7p:GTP and acidic lipids to support fusion.

scholarly journals GLUT4 Recycles via a trans-Golgi Network (TGN) Subdomain Enriched in Syntaxins 6 and 16 But Not TGN38: Involvement of an Acidic Targeting Motif

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 973-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette M. Shewan ◽  
Ellen M. van Dam ◽  
Sally Martin ◽  
Tang Bor Luen ◽  
Wanjin Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Adipocyte Differentiation ◽  
Attachment Protein ◽  
Trans Golgi Network ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Glucose Transporter Glut4 ◽  
Golgi Network ◽  
Endosomal System

Insulin stimulates glucose transport in fat and muscle cells by triggering exocytosis of the glucose transporter GLUT4. To define the intracellular trafficking of GLUT4, we have studied the internalization of an epitope-tagged version of GLUT4 from the cell surface. GLUT4 rapidly traversed the endosomal system en route to a perinuclear location. This perinuclear GLUT4 compartment did not colocalize with endosomal markers (endosomal antigen 1 protein, transferrin) or TGN38, but showed significant overlap with the TGN target (t)-solubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) Syntaxins 6 and 16. These results were confirmed by vesicle immunoisolation. Consistent with a role for Syntaxins 6 and 16 in GLUT4 trafficking we found that their expression was up-regulated significantly during adipocyte differentiation and insulin stimulated their movement to the cell surface. GLUT4 trafficking between endosomes and trans-Golgi network was regulated via an acidic targeting motif in the carboxy terminus of GLUT4, because a mutant lacking this motif was retained in endosomes. We conclude that GLUT4 is rapidly transported from the cell surface to a subdomain of thetrans-Golgi network that is enriched in the t-SNAREs Syntaxins 6 and 16 and that an acidic targeting motif in the C-terminal tail of GLUT4 plays an important role in this process.

scholarly journals Organelle tethering, pore formation and SNARE compensation in the late endocytic pathway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luther J. Davis ◽  
Nicholas A. Bright ◽  
James R. Edgar ◽  
Michael D.J. Parkinson ◽  
Lena Wartosch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pore Formation ◽  
Endocytic Pathway ◽  
Multivesicular Bodies ◽  
Lysosomal Hydrolases ◽  
Attachment Protein ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Protein Carrier ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Pore Expansion

To provide insights into the kiss-and-run and full fusion events resulting in endocytic delivery to lysosomes, we investigated conditions causing increased tethering and pore formation between late endocytic organelles in HeLa cells. Knockout of the SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) VAMP7 and VAMP8 showed, by electron microscopy, the accumulation of tethered LAMP (lysosome associated membrane protein)-carrier vesicles around multivesicular bodies, as well as the appearance of ‘hourglass’ profiles of late endocytic organelles attached by filamentous tethers, but did not prevent endocytic delivery to lysosomal hydrolases. Subsequent depletion of the SNARE YKT6 reduced this delivery, consistent with it compensating for the absence of VAMP7 and VAMP8. We also investigated filamentous tethering between multivesicular bodies and enlarged endolysosomes following depletion of CHMP6 (charged multi-vesicular body protein 6) and provide the first evidence that pore formation commences at the edge of tether arrays, with pore expansion required for full membrane fusion.

Roles of the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of syntaxins in intracellular localization and trafficking

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (17) ◽  
pp. 3115-3124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuo Kasai ◽  
Kimio Akagawa
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Intracellular Localization ◽  
Transmembrane Domains ◽  
Cytoplasmic Domains ◽  
Immunofluorescence Analysis ◽  
Attachment Protein ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Protein Receptors

Syntaxins are target-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptors (t-SNAREs) involved in docking and fusion of vesicles in exocytosis and endocytosis. Many syntaxin isoforms have been isolated, and each one displays a distinct intracellular localization pattern. However, the signals that drive the specific intracellular localization of syntaxins are poorly understood. In this study, we used indirect immunofluorescence analysis to examine the localization of syntaxin chimeras, each containing a syntaxin transmembrane domain fused to a cytoplasmic domain derived from a different syntaxin. We show that the cytoplasmic domains of syntaxins 5, 6, 7 and 8 have important effects on intracellular localization. We also demonstrate that the transmembrane domain of syntaxin 5 is sufficient to localize the chimera to the compartment expected for wild-type syntaxin 5. Additionally, we find that syntaxins 6, 7 and 8, but not syntaxin 5, are present at the plasma membrane, and that these syntaxins cycle through the plasma membrane by virtue of their cytoplasmic domains. Finally, we find that di-leucine-based motifs in the cytoplasmic domains of syntaxins 7 and 8 are necessary for their intracellular localization and trafficking via distinct transport pathways. Combined, these results suggest that both the cytoplasmic and the transmembrane domains play important roles in intracellular localization and trafficking of syntaxins.

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