The SNAP-25 Protein Family

Abstract

SNARE-complexes drive the fusion of membrane-bound vesicles with target membranes or with each other (homotypic fusion). The SNARE-proteins are subdivided into Qa, Qb, Qc and R-SNAREs depending on their position in the four-helical SNARE-bundle. Here, we review the SNAP-25 protein sub-family, which includes both the Qb and Qc SNARE-domains within a single protein. In vertebrates, this sub-family consists of SNAP-25, SNAP-23, SNAP-29 and SNAP-47, named for their apparent molecular weights. SNAP-25 and SNAP-23 are specialized for driving regulated exocytosis. SNAP-25 performs this function in the nervous system, and in neuroendocrine cells, where fast Ca2+-dependent triggering is required in order to synchronize release with an electrical signal, whereas SNAP-23 drives regulated exocytosis in most other cases that have been studied, e.g. platelet exocytosis or glucose transporter trafficking. SNAP-25 is regulated by alternative splicing, phosphorylation and by G-protein binding, and it regulates Ca2+-channels, neuronal survival and postsynaptic spine development. SNAP-23 is primarily regulated by phosphorylation within the linker connecting Qb to Qc. Cross-rescue experiments show that SNAP-25 and SNAP-23 can (at least partly) substitute for each other, whereas SNAP-29 and SNAP-47 cannot. SNAP-29 is present on intracellular membranes and performs functions in autophagosome-to-lysosome fusion, among others. An overlapping function for SNAP-47 was described; in addition, SNAP-47 mediates postsynaptic AMPA-receptor insertion. Overall, the presence of two SNARE-domains confers members of this family the ability to associate to different Qa and R-SNAREs and drive diverse membrane fusion reactions; one member of the family, SNAP-25, has been devoted entirely to Ca2+-triggered fusion and has taken on a number of additional, regulatory roles.