A NEW BEAT FOR THE SNARE DRUM

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound compartments that are connecte d by trafficking of vesicular intermediates. To maintain compartmental organization, proper targeting of transport vesicles is achieved by s pecific evolutionary conserved transmembrane proteins that reside on v esicles and target membranes. According to the original SNARE hypothes is, the formation of a complex of nn NEM-sensitive fusion protein (NSF ), soluble NSF attachment proteins (SNAPs) ann membrane-bound SNAP rec eptor proteins (SNAREs) ensures docking specificity and leads to membr ane fusion driven by the ATPase activity of NSF. Recent results have c hallenged some aspects of this hypothesis ann led to a reassessment of models of SNARE interactions and the events leaning to vesicle dockin g and fusion.