Role of lipids in the organization and function of exocytotic membrane domains

Principal investigator: Lang

 

The SNARE proteins syntaxin 1A and SNAP25 are plasma membrane proteins required for regulated vesicle fusion. Both are present at very high copy numbers. Therefore, most syntaxin and SNAP25 molecules are not part of fusion complexes but segregated into syntaxin and SNAP25 nano-clusters. These nano-clusters are associated to a network. Using native and artificial membrane systems, we study the anatomy and the dynamics of this network and how it is modulated in preparation of vesicle fusion.

The finding that interacting proteins are not present as single proteins but concentrated in associating nano-clusters may apply to many proteins and could be a not yet understood principle for the generation of a functional protein landscape.

Responsible: Editor
Latest Revision: 2019-04-09