Abstract
A new functional class of SNAREs, designated inhibitory SNAREs (i-SNAREs), is described here. An i-SNARE inhibits fusion by substituting for or binding to a subunit of a fusogenic SNAREpin to form a nonfusogenic complex. Golgi-localized SNAREs were tested for i-SNARE activity by adding them as a fifth SNARE together with four other SNAREs that mediate Golgi fusion reactions. A striking pattern emerges in which certain subunits of the cis-Golgi SNAREpin function as i-SNAREs that inhibit fusion mediated by the trans-Golgi SNAREpin, and vice versa. Although the opposing distributions of the cis- and trans-Golgi SNAREs themselves could provide for a countercurrent fusion pattern in the Golgi stack, the gradients involved would be strongly sharpened by the complementary countercurrent distributions of the i-SNAREs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 79-88 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Cell Biology |
Volume | 164 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Golgi
- Gradient
- Homotypic
- Regulation
- Vesicles
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology