Trans-complex formation by proteolipid channels in the terminal phase of membrane fusion

C Peters, MJ Bayer, S BuÈhler, JS Andersen, M Mann… - Nature, 2001 - nature.com
C Peters, MJ Bayer, S BuÈhler, JS Andersen, M Mann, A Mayer
Nature, 2001nature.com
SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) and Rab-
GTPases, together with their cofactors, mediate the attachment step in the membrane fusion
of vesicles. But how bilayer mixing—the subsequent core process of fusion—is catalysed
remains unclear. Ca2+/calmodulin controls this terminal process in many intracellular fusion
events. Here we identify V0, the membrane-integral sector of the vacuolar H+-ATPase, as a
target of calmodulin on yeast vacuoles. Between docking and bilayer fusion, V0 sectors from …
Abstract
SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) and Rab-GTPases, together with their cofactors, mediate the attachment step in the membrane fusion of vesicles. But how bilayer mixing—the subsequent core process of fusion—is catalysed remains unclear. Ca2+/calmodulin controls this terminal process in many intracellular fusion events. Here we identify V0, the membrane-integral sector of the vacuolar H+-ATPase, as a target of calmodulin on yeast vacuoles. Between docking and bilayer fusion, V0 sectors from opposing membranes form complexes. V0 trans-complex formation occurs downstream from trans-SNARE pairing, and depends on both the Rab-GTPase Ypt7 and calmodulin. The maintenance of existing complexes and completion of fusion are independent of trans-SNARE pairs. Reconstituted proteolipids form sealed channels, which can expand to form aqueous pores in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent fashion. V0 trans-complexes may therefore form a continuous, proteolipid-lined channel at the fusion site. We propose that radial expansion of such a protein pore may be a mechanism for intracellular membrane fusion.
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