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The Structure of the Yeast Plasma Membrane SNARE Complex Reveals Destabilizing Water Filled Cavities

Journal Article · · J. Biol. Chem. 283:1113,2008
OSTI ID:953579

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins form a complex that leads to membrane fusion between vesicles, organelles, and plasma membrane in all eukaryotic cells. We report the 1.7{angstrom} resolution structure of the SNARE complex that mediates exocytosis at the plasma membrane in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Similar to its neuronal and endosomal homologues, the S. cerevisiae SNARE complex forms a parallel four-helix bundle in the center of which is an ionic layer. The S. cerevisiae SNARE complex exhibits increased helix bending near the ionic layer, contains water-filled cavities in the complex core, and exhibits reduced thermal stability relative to mammalian SNARE complexes. Mutagenesis experiments suggest that the water-filled cavities contribute to the lower stability of the S. cerevisiae complex.

Research Organization:
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515
OSTI ID:
953579
Report Number(s):
SLAC-REPRINT-2009-304
Journal Information:
J. Biol. Chem. 283:1113,2008, Journal Name: J. Biol. Chem. 283:1113,2008 Vol. 283; ISSN JBCHA3; ISSN 0021-9258
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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