Article abstract
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 14, 890 - 896 (2007)
Published online: 30 September 2007 | doi:10.1038/nsmb1310
Energetics and dynamics of SNAREpin folding across lipid bilayers
Feng Li1, Frédéric Pincet1, Eric Perez1, William S Eng2, Thomas J Melia2, James E Rothman2 & David Tareste2
Abstract
Membrane fusion occurs when SNAREpins fold up between lipid bilayers. How much energy is generated during SNAREpin folding and how this energy is coupled to the fusion of apposing membranes is unknown. We have used a surface forces apparatus to determine the energetics and dynamics of SNAREpin formation and characterize the different intermediate structures sampled by cognate SNAREs in the course of their assembly. The interaction energy–versus–distance profiles of assembling SNAREpins reveal that SNARE motifs begin to interact when the membranes are 8 nm apart. Even after very close approach of the bilayers (
2–4 nm), the SNAREpins remain partly unstructured in their membrane-proximal region. The energy stabilizing a single SNAREpin in this configuration (35 kBT) corresponds closely with the energy needed to fuse outer but not inner leaflets (hemifusion) of pure lipid bilayers (40–50 kBT).
- Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8550, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique associée aux Universités Paris VI et Paris VII, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France.
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, 1150 Saint Nicholas Avenue, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Correspondence to: David Tareste2 e-mail: dt2143@columbia.edu
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