The molecular control of transport vesicle fusion

Abstract

The fusion of transport vesicles with the appropriate target membrane in constitutive transport is a complex and well-controlled process. Many of the molecular details of the reactions that result in this control are being revealed through the use of cell-free assays of protein transport as well as by the study of the molecular genetics of secretion in yeast. Kinetic analyses have indicated that several structural intermediates are formed after transport vesicles attach to their destination, but before they fuse with the appropriate membrane. Proteins that mediate the formation and processing of these intermediates have been identified. Included among these are small molecular weight GTP-binding proteins. This intricate set of reactions may ensure the fidelity of transport and guard the integrity of the organelles along the transport pathway.