PMID: 10746715 , Related PDB id: 1DN1

Authors:

Misura KM, Scheller RH, Weis WI

Title:

Three-dimensional structure of the neuronal-Sec1-syntaxin 1a complex.

Journal:

Nature. 2000 Mar 23;404(6776):355-62.

Abstract:

Syntaxin 1a and neuronal Sec1 (nSec1) form an evolutionarily conserved heterodimer that is essential for vesicle trafficking and membrane fusion. The crystal structure of the nSec1-syntaxin 1a complex, determined at 2.6 A resolution, reveals that major conformational rearrangements occur in syntaxin relative to both the core SNARE complex and isolated syntaxin. We identify regions of the two proteins that seem to determine the binding specificity of particular Sec1 proteins for syntaxin isoforms, which is likely to be important for the fidelity of membrane trafficking. The structure also indicates mechanisms that might couple the action of upstream effector proteins to conformational changes in syntaxin 1a and nSec1 that lead to core complex formation and membrane fusion.