AVS 47th International Symposium
    Biomaterial Interfaces Friday Sessions
       Session BI-FrM

Invited Paper BI-FrM1
AFM and EM Studies Providing Insights into Membrane Fusion in Cells

Friday, October 6, 2000, 8:20 am, Room 202

Session: Biomolecular Recognition at Surfaces
Presenter: B.P. Jena, Yale University School of Medicine
Correspondent: Click to Email

Binding force profiles between solubilized synaptic vesicle and synaptosomal membrane components were examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM). These AFM force spectroscopic studies reveal that a 17 nm and a 34 nm long complex form, following interaction between the two sets of membrane components. The formation of such complexes is further confirmed using negative staining electron microscopy (EM), performed on the immunoprecipitated membrane fusion machinery obtained from neuronal tissue. These EM studies performed on the dehydrated immunoprecipitated native fusion complex reveal the presence of 28-30 nm new coiled rod-like structures in association with 14 nm long SNARE complexes. Neuronal SNAREs were found coiled and super-coiled with these structures. The existence of NSF as pentamers in its native state is also demonstrated. The extent of coiling and super-coiling of SNAREs may regulate the potency and efficacy of membrane fusion in cells.