Targeting vesicles to specific sites on the plasma membrane: the role of the sec6/8 complex

The delivery of secretory vesicles to appropriate docking and fusion sites on the plasma membrane is crucial for many cellular functions, including fo rmation of synapses, exocytosis of neurotransmitter, establishment and main tenance of cell polarity, cell growth aim plasma membrane would healing. Ce ll-biological, genetic and biochemical approaches have identified crucial p roteins and protein interactions importance for vesicle docking and fusion. However, a description of the molecular mechanisms underlying vesicle targ eting to specific membrane-fusion sites remains elusive. This review discus ses a set of proteins that might direct vesicles to specific domains of the plasma membrane.