SNARE proteins and membrane fusion

Diverse proteins catalyze membrane fusion reactions. These mediate recognition of the membranes for fusion and pull the membranes close together to destabilize the lipid/water interface and to initiate mixing of the lipids. In the nervous system, membrane fusion is vital for neuro-exocytosis, neuro transmitter release and chemical synaptic transmission. Three neuronal soluble NSF(N-ethyl-maleimide-sensitive fusion protein) attachment receptor (SNARE) proteins exist, namely: (i) vesicle associated membrane protein (VAMP-2), also called synaptobrevin; (ii) 25 kDa synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25); and (iii) syntaxin 1A (STX1). The SNAREs are involved in the neuronal membrane fusion process.