Snares and munc18 in synaptic vesicle fusion

• Published in: Nature reviews. Neuroscience Vol. 3; no. 8; pp. 641 - 653
• Main Authors: Rizo, Josep, Südhof, Thomas C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 01.08.2002
• Subjects: Animals; Central Nervous System - metabolism; Central Nervous System - ultrastructure; Exocytosis - physiology; Humans; Hypotheses; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Membranes; Munc18 Proteins; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; Neurosciences; Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Plasma; Presynaptic Terminals - metabolism; Presynaptic Terminals - secretion; Presynaptic Terminals - ultrastructure; Protein Structure, Tertiary - physiology; Proteins; SNARE Proteins; Synaptic Membranes - metabolism; Synaptic Membranes - ultrastructure; Synaptic Transmission - physiology; Synaptic Vesicles - metabolism; Synaptic Vesicles - secretion; Synaptic Vesicles - ultrastructure; Vesicular Transport Proteins
• ISSN: 1471-003X; 1471-0048; 1471-0048; 1469-3178
• DOI: 10.1038/nrn898

The release of neurotransmitters by Ca2+ -triggered synaptic vesicle exocytosis is an exquisitely regulated process that is fundamental for interneuronal communication. This process involves several steps and is controlled by a protein machinery that must prevent release before Ca2+ entry into presynaptic terminals, and yet must rapidly induce release on Ca2+ influx. Extensive studies of the components of this machinery have indicated that SNAREs and Munc18-1 are central proteins for membrane fusion during exocytosis. An increasing amount of information derived from a convergence of structural, physiological and genetic studies is providing important insights into the mechanism of neurotransmitter release.