BBMB Research Seminars

March 29

Yibin Xu
Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
Iowa State University
“Structural and functional studies on membrane fusion proteins - SNARES”

Abstract:

Membrane fusion is a ubiquitous and essential intracellular process, which mediate the housekeeping function as endocytosis, constitutive secretion and recycling of membrane components. There is a protein superfamily known as N-ethymaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) lie in the heart of membrane fusion. From plant to mammal, there is a remarkable sequence similarity among SNARE-family, relating to the conserved function of this family. Function of SNAREs has been proposed to be the key of membrane fusion as minimal fusion machinery. Depending on their distinct membrane distribution, SNAREs were classified into v-SNAREs (vesicle associated SNAREs) and t-SNAREs (target membrane associated SNAREs). It is widely believed SNARE complex assembly by v- and t- SNAREs on opposite membranes offers the ultimate driving force for membrane fusion.

The purpose of this work is to investigate the structure dependent SNARE functions. Biophysical methods of EPR (Electron paramagnetic resonance) are used to study the structure of SNARE proteins. Florescence lipid mixing assay is the biochemical method which is used to monitor SNAREs facilitated liposomes fusion in vitro.