SNARE proteins
Vesicle docking molecules
SNARE proteins are molecules that enable membrane fusion in cells—the process by which two lipid membranes merge into one.
They work by forming tight complexes that pull membranes together, allowing vesicles to deliver their contents to target compartments.
SNAREs are essential for neurotransmitter release, hormone secretion, and intracellular transport.
The acronym stands for Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor Attachment protein REceptor.
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- fusionJoining into unity
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
exocytosis · docking · SNAP · zipper · complex · secretion · release · calcium · terminal · presynaptic · botulinum · tetanus · toxin · coiled-coil · machinery · trafficking · Golgi · endosome
- cell membranescell membrane, plasma membrane, nuclear membrane, bilayer, phospholipid
- Cell Traffickingexocytosis, endosomes
- cell transportvesicle, vesicles, endocytosis, exocytosis, trafficking
- Synapseneurotransmitter, neurotransmitters, bouton, acetylcholine, dopamine
- synapsessynapse, neurotransmission, presynaptic
- Vesicle ProteinsNSF, CAPS, piccolo, bassoon