Fig. 5: Hypothetic models of VAMP2 conformations and engagement in SNARE complex assembly for neurotransmitter release.
From: Different regions of synaptic vesicle membrane regulate VAMP2 conformation for the SNARE assembly
The extravesicular domain of VAMP2 adopts distinctive conformations in different membrane regions. On the cholesterol-rich microdomains, it is less associated with SV membrane and thus more active to engage in calcium-evoked SNARE assembly and neurotransmitter release. In contrast, in other regions of SV membrane, it tends to hibernate on the membrane with an increased content of α-helical conformation which is relatively inactive in SNARE assembly.
