Snare-mediated membrane fusion

SNARE proteins have been proposed to mediate all intracellular membrane fus ion events. There are over 30 SNARE family members in mammalian cells and e ach is found in a distinct subcellular compartment. it is likely that SNARE s encode aspects of membrane transport specificity but the mechanism by whi ch this specificity is achieved remains controversial. Functional studies h ave provided exciting insights into how SNARE proteins interact with each o ther to generate the driving force needed to fuse lipid bilayers.