Fusion of cells by flipped SNAREs.

Hu, Chuan; Ahmed, Mahiuddin; Melia, Thomas J; Söllner, Thomas H; Mayer, Thomas; Rothman, James E · Science · 2003

basic_science · Level V

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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.

Medical subject headings