Jeong E H, Webster P, Khuong C Q, Abdus Sattar A K, Satchi M, Jena B P
Department of Surgery & Biomedical Engineering Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Cell Biol Int. 1998;22(9-10):657-70. doi: 10.1006/cbir.1999.0394.
Recombinant SNAREs have been demonstrated as the minimal membrane fusion machinery. The participation of additional proteins in the regulation of membrane fusion has been suggested. In this study we provide nanometer-resolution images of native NSF oligomers and SNARE complexes isolated from neurons and the pancreas. Our study reveals the presence of new coiled rod-like structures in association with the SNARE complex only in neuronal tissue. Neuronal SNAREs were found coiled and super-coiled with these structures. The existence of NSF as pentamers in its native state is also demonstrated. The extent of coiling and super-coiling of SNAREs may regulate the potency and efficacy of membrane fusion in cells.
重组SNARE蛋白已被证明是最小的膜融合机制。有研究表明，其他蛋白质也参与膜融合的调节。在本研究中，我们提供了从神经元和胰腺中分离出的天然NSF寡聚体和SNARE复合体的纳米分辨率图像。我们的研究揭示，仅在神经元组织中存在与SNARE复合体相关的新型螺旋杆状结构。发现神经元SNARE蛋白与这些结构呈螺旋状和超螺旋状排列。同时也证明了NSF在其天然状态下以五聚体形式存在。SNARE蛋白的螺旋化和超螺旋化程度可能调节细胞中膜融合的效力和效率。
