Regulation of growth cone extension by SNARE proteins

J Histochem Cytochem. 2003 Apr;51(4):429-33. doi: 10.1177/002215540305100404.

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attached protein (SNAP) receptor (SNARE)-mediated membrane fusion system is involved in vesicle fusion with the surface plasma membrane, which leads to neurite elongation. There have been several reports analyzing the effects of neurite outgrowth by inhibition of SNAREs. We studied this mechanism by overexpressing GFP-fusion SNAREs including VAMP-2, SNAP-25A, and syntaxin1A in PC12 cells to investigate the role of SNAREs in neurite outgrowth. When overexpressed in PC12 cells, VAMP-2 promoted neurite elongation, whereas SNAP-25A stimulated neurite sprouting. On the other hand, overexpression of syntaxin1A neither promoted nor inhibited neurite outgrowth. Thus, VAMP-2 and SNAP-25A play different roles in neurite elongation and sprouting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / biosynthesis
  • Growth Cones / physiology*
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Neurites / physiology
  • PC12 Cells
  • R-SNARE Proteins
  • Rats
  • SNARE Proteins
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25
  • Syntaxin 1
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins*

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • R-SNARE Proteins
  • SNARE Proteins
  • Snap25 protein, rat
  • Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25
  • Syntaxin 1
  • Vesicular Transport Proteins