Which protein is responsible for recycling SNARE complexes for reuse?
Maintenance of available fusion-competent SNAREs requires constant recycling machinery whose failure halts secretion rapidly. After vesicle fusion, v- and t-SNAREs intertwined as cis complex on acceptor membrane representing low-energy product. Soluble alpha-SNAP 35 kDa oligomerizes along complex as three to four copies per bundle recognizing acidic surface patches. Hexameric NSF ATPase binds SNAP coat via N-domains forming 20S particle originally observed in detergent extracts. Upon ATP hydrolysis D1 ring undergoes large movements pulling SNAREs through central pore with mechanical force unfo
Ref: Alberts et al., MBC Chapter 13: NSF recycling of SNARE complexes for multiple rounds.
