Localization of plasma membrane t-SNAREs syntaxin 2 and 3 in intracellular compartments

• Published in: BMC cell biology 2005-05, Vol.6 (1), p.26-26, Article 26
• Main Authors: Band, Arja M, Kuismanen, Esa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actins; Animals; Cell Line; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Ethylmaleimide - pharmacology; Golgi Apparatus - metabolism; Intracellular Membranes - metabolism; Membrane Fusion - drug effects; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Protein Transport; Qa-SNARE Proteins - metabolism; Rats; SNARE Proteins - metabolism; Syntaxin 1 - metabolism
• ISSN: 1471-2121; 1471-2121
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2121-6-26

Membrane fusion requires the formation of a complex between a vesicle protein (v-SNARE) and the target membrane proteins (t-SNAREs). Syntaxin 2 and 3 are t-SNAREs that, according to previous over-expression studies, are predominantly localized at the plasma membrane. In the present study we investigated localization of the endogenous syntaxin 2 and 3. Endogenous syntaxin 2 and 3 were found in NRK cells in intracellular vesicular structures in addition to regions of the plasma membrane. Treatment of these cells with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), which is known to inactivate membrane fusion, caused syntaxin 3 to accumulate in the trans-Golgi network and syntaxin 2 in perinuclear membrane vesicles. Kinetic analysis in the presence of NEM indicated that this redistribution of syntaxin 2 and 3 takes place via actin containing structures. Our data suggest that syntaxin 2 cycles between the plasma membrane and the perinuclear compartment whereas syntaxin 3 cycles between the plasma membrane and the trans-Golgi network. It is possible that this cycling has an important role in the regulation of t-SNARE function.