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Abstract:
SNARE
molecules
are
the
core
constituents
of
the
protein
machinery
that
facilitate
fusion
of
synaptic
vesicles
with
the
presynaptic
plasma
membrane,
resulting
in
the
release
of
neurotransmitter.
On
a
molecular
level,
SNARE
complexes
seem
to
play
a
quite
versatile
and
involved
role
during
all
stages
of
fusion.
In
addition
to
merely
triggering
fusion
by
forcing
the
opposing
membranes
into
close
proximity,
SNARE
complexes
are
now
seen
to
also
overcome
subsequent
fusion
barriers
and
to
actively
guide
the
fusion
reaction
up
to
the
expansion
of
the
fusion
pore.
Here,
we
review
recent
advances
in
the
understanding
of
SNARE-mediated
membrane
fusion
by
molecular
simulations.
