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Synaptotagmin: fusogenic role for calcium sensor?

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Two recent studies focusing on synaptotagmin-1's role in synaptic vesicle fusion suggest that it may be key in bringing vesicle and target membranes together and in promoting SNARE assembly. The highly positive electrostatic potential of the synaptotagmin surface could catalyze fusion.

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Figure 1: Synaptotagmin as a catalyst for fusion.
Figure 2: Possible pathways for Ca2+-stimulated membrane fusion of exocytosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, US National Institutes of Health, 10/10D14 MSC 1855, Bethesda, 20892-1855, Maryland, USA

    Joshua Zimmerberg, Sergey A Akimov & Vadim Frolov

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  1. Joshua Zimmerberg
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  2. Sergey A Akimov
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  3. Vadim Frolov
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Zimmerberg, J., Akimov, S. & Frolov, V. Synaptotagmin: fusogenic role for calcium sensor?. Nat Struct Mol Biol 13, 301–303 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb0406-301

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