Genetic analysis of the Complexin trans-clamping model for cross-linking SNARE complexes in vivo

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1409311111
• Publication Date: 2014-07-01T14:07:52Z
• Authors: Richard W. Cho; Daniel Kümmel; Feng Li; Stephanie Wood Ba...; Jeff Coleman; James E. Rothman; J. Troy Littleton
• Keywords: SNARE complex; Vesicle fusion; Synaptotagmin 1

Significance Synaptic vesicle fusion at synapses is the primary mechanism by which neurons communicate. A highly conserved membrane machine known as SNARE complex mediates this process. In addition, neuronal SNARE-binding regulatory proteins have evolved to control kinetics and speed of assembly synapses. One such protein, Complexin, has been found inhibit synaptic in absence an action potential activate SNARE-mediated release during stimulation. Here we examine molecular models for how Complexin can mediate these unique effects on using genetic rescue experiments Drosophila . We find that alternate mechanisms are likely contribute distinct inhibitory activating functions vivo.