SNAREs during development

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attached protein receptor (SNARE) molecules are implicated in many fundamental cellular processes that requi re membrane fusion, and the interactions of the SNARE proteins, SNAP-25, sy ntaxin and VAMP/synaptobrevin, have been extensively studied. This review d ocuments recent data on their role at different stages of development. SNAR E proteins are expressed very early and play important roles in fertilizati on and in cell division during early embryogenesis. In the developing nervo us system, they are important for neurite outgrowth and transformation of t he growth cone into the mature synapse. In the neuroendocrine system, in ad dition to neurosecretion, they are involved in processes related to morphol ogical plasticity. Although few data exist on regulation of SNARE proteins during development, growth factors, intracellular messengers and depolariza tion are known to modify their cellular expression. The putative importance of these factors during development is discussed.