Chapter 6 - C2 Domains and Membrane Fusion

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter describes C2 domains and membrane fusion. Membrane fusion or the controlled merger of two initially separated membranes is of fundamental importance in biology. This is particularly true for eukaryotic cells that contain a plethora of membrane-bound compartments. The transport of proteins, lipids, and other material between the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, the endocytic system, and other intracellular compartments is in large part mediated by small vesicular and tubular carriers. The chapter discusses key molecules, such as SNARE proteins and C2 domain-containing proteins of the synaptotagmin family and its relatives. Special emphasis is given to recent evidence showing that C2 domains are able to induce membrane curvature in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The chapter discusses how this activity in combination with the energy provided by SNARE complex assembly brings about the extremely fast and controlled fusion of granules and synaptic vesicles. Synaptic vesicle fusion lies at the core of the communication between the vast majority of neurons. At chemical synapses, one neuron communicates with its neighbor across a specialized site called “synapse.”