SNAREs and SNARE regulators in membrane fusion and exocytosis

1999 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 707-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Gerst
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Snare Regulators

scholarly journals The life cycle of platelet granules

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anish Sharda ◽  
Robert Flaumenhaft
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Snare Proteins ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Dense Granules ◽  
Protein Receptor ◽  
Early Endosomes ◽  
Snare Regulators ◽  
Golgi Network

Platelet granules are unique among secretory vesicles in both their content and their life cycle. Platelets contain three major granule types—dense granules, α-granules, and lysosomes—although other granule types have been reported. Dense granules and α-granules are the most well-studied and the most physiologically important. Platelet granules are formed in large, multilobulated cells, termed megakaryocytes, prior to transport into platelets. The biogenesis of dense granules and α-granules involves common but also distinct pathways. Both are formed from thetrans-Golgi network and early endosomes and mature in multivesicular bodies, but the formation of dense granules requires trafficking machinery different from that of α-granules. Following formation in the megakaryocyte body, both granule types are transported through and mature in long proplatelet extensions prior to the release of nascent platelets into the bloodstream. Granules remain stored in circulating platelets until platelet activation triggers the exocytosis of their contents. SolubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, located on both the granules and target membranes, provide the mechanical energy that enables membrane fusion during both granulogenesis and exocytosis. The function of these core fusion engines is controlled by SNARE regulators, which direct the site, timing, and extent to which these SNAREs interact and consequently the resulting membrane fusion. In this review, we assess new developments in the study of platelet granules, from their generation to their exocytosis.

Trophoblast Cell Membrane Interactions at Implantation

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 310-311
Author(s):  
A. C. Enders
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Trophoblast Cell ◽  
Membrane Interactions ◽  
Uterine Epithelial Cells ◽  
Functional Complex ◽  
Cytotrophoblast Cells ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Syncytial Trophoblast

The alteration in membrane relationships seen at implantation include 1) interaction between cytotrophoblast cells to form syncytial trophoblast and addition to the syncytium by subsequent fusion of cytotrophoblast cells, 2) formation of a wide variety of functional complex relationships by trophoblast with uterine epithelial cells in the process of invasion of the endometrium, and 3) in the case of the rabbit, fusion of some uterine epithelial cells with the trophoblast.Formation of syncytium is apparently a membrane fusion phenomenon in which rapid confluence of cytoplasm often results in isolation of residual membrane within masses of syncytial trophoblast. Often the last areas of membrane to disappear are those including a desmosome where the cell membranes are apparently held apart from fusion.

Lipid Polymorphism and Virus-Membrane Fusion as Observed in Vitrified Thin Films by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 492-493
Author(s):  
P.M. Frederik ◽  
K.N.J. Burger ◽  
M.C.A. Stuart ◽  
A.J. Verkleij
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Film Formation ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Suspended Material ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy

Cellular membranes are often composed of phospholipid mixtures in which one or more components have a tendency to adopt a type II non-bilayer lipid structure such as the inverted hexagonal (H||) phase. The formation of a type II non-bilayer intermediate, the inverted lipid micel is proposed as the initial step in membrane fusion (Verkleij 1984, Siegel, 1986). In the various forms of cellular transport mediated by carrier vesicles (e.g. exocytosis, endocytosis) the regulation of membrane fusion, and hence of inverted lipid micel formation, is of vital importance.We studied the phase behaviour of simple and complex lipid mixtures by cryo-electron microscopy to gain more insight in the ultrastructure of different lipid phases (e.g. Pβ’, Lα, H||) and in the complex membrane structures arising after Lα < - > H|| phase changes (e.g. isotropic, cubic). To prepare hydrated thin films a 700 mesh hexagonal grid (without supporting film) was dipped into and withdrawn from a liposome suspension. The excess fluid was blotted against filter paper and the thin films that form between the bars of the specimen grid were immediately (within 1 second) vitrified by plunging of the carrier grids into ethane cooled to its melting point by liquid nitrogen (Dubochet et al., 1982). Surface active molecules such as phospholipids play an important role in the formation and thinning of these aqueous thin films (Frederik et al., 1989). The formation of two interfacial layers at the air-water interfaces requires transport of surface molecules from the suspension as well as the orientation of these molecules at the interfaces. During the spontaneous thinning of the film the interfaces approach each other, initially driven by capillary forces later by Van der Waals attraction. The process of thinning results in the sorting by size of the suspended material and is also accompanied by a loss of water from the thinner parts of the film. This loss of water may result in the concentration and eventually in partial dehydration of suspended material even if thin films are vitrified within 1 sec after their formation. Film formation and vitrification were initiated at temperatures between 20-60°C by placing die equipment in an incubator provided widi port holes for the necessary manipulations. Unilamellar vesicles were made from dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) by an extrusion method and showed a smooth (Lα) or a rippled (PB’.) structure depending on the temperature of the suspensions and the temperature of film formation (50°C resp. 39°C) prior to vitrification. The thermotropic phases of hydrated phospholipids are thus faithfully preserved in vitrified thin films (fig. a,b). Complex structures arose when mixtures of dioleoylphosphatidylethanol-amine (DOPE), dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and cholesterol (molar ratio 3/1/2) are heated and used for thin film formation. The tendency of DOPE to adopt the H|| phase is responsible for the formation of complex structures in this lipid mixture. Isotropic and cubic areas (fig. c,d) having a bilayer structure are found in coexistence with H|| cylinders (fig. e). The formation of interlamellar attachments (ILA’s) as observed in isotropic and cubic structures is also thought to be of importance in biological fusion events. Therefore the study of the fusion activity of influenza B virus with liposomes (DOPE/DOPC/cholesterol/ganglioside in a molar ratio 1/1/2/0.2) was initiated. At neutral pH only adsorption of virus to liposomes was observed whereas 2 minutes after a drop in pH (7.4 - > 5.4) fusion between virus and liposome membranes was demonstrated (fig. f). The micrographs illustrate the exciting potential of cryo-electron microscopy to study lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions in hydrated specimens.

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