TRANSPORT VESICLE DOCKING - SNARES AND ASSOCIATES

Proteins that function in transport vesicle docking are being identifi ed at a rapid rate. So-called v- and t-SNAREs form the core of a vesic le docking complex. Additional accessory proteins are required to prot ect SNAREs from promiscuous binding and to deprotect SNAREs under cond itions in which transport vesicle docking should occur. Because access to SNAREs must be regulated, other proteins must also contain specifi city determinants to accomplish delivery of transport vesicles to thei r distinct and specific membrane targets.