@inbook{35bfb76f4e824680b6103120b90be11c,
title = "The function of Sec1/Munc18 proteins - Solution of the mystery in sight?",
abstract = "Members of the Secl/Munc18 (SM) protein family form a central part of the machinery responsible for transport vesicle docking and fusion. Their hallmark property is interaction with SNARE proteins belonging to the syntaxin family. A wealth of evidence proposes an essential positive role for SM proteins in the different intracellular trafficking events in all cell types and organisms studied. However, the exact nature of their function is not understood. The existing data suggests functions as chaperones of syntaxins, in transport vesicle docking, promotion of SNARE complex formation, and in fusion pore opening. Intriguingly, all SM proteins do not bind their cognate syntaxin partners in a similar manner, but four different binding modes can be distinguished. This suggests that the unifying factor in SM function is not an intimate tight-fitting contact with syntaxins. We propose here a model, based on increasing experimental evidence that the key function of SM proteins is to bridge the Rab-GTPase dependent machineries of transport vesicle tethering and the SNARE apparatus responsible for vesicle docking and fusion.",
keywords = "proteins, SNARE proteins, transport vesicle docking, syntaxin",
author = "Maria Kauppi and Jussi J{\"a}ntti and Olkkonen, {Vesa M.}",
year = "2004",
doi = "10.1007/b97172",
language = "English",
isbn = "978-3-540-22302-3",
series = "Topics in Current Genetics",
publisher = "Springer",
pages = "115--143",
editor = "Ker{\"a}nen, {Sirkka } and J{\"a}ntti, {Jussi }",
booktitle = "Regulatory Mechanisms of Intracellular Membrane Transport. Ker{\"a}nen, S.; J{\"a}ntti, J. (Eds). Topics in Current Genetics : 10",
address = "Germany",
}