Three Novel Proteins of the Syntaxin/SNAP-25 Family

Intracellular membrane traffic is thought to be regulated in part by soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) through the formation of complexes between these proteins present on vesicle and target membranes. All known SNARE-mediated fusion events involve members of the syntaxin and vesicle-associated membrane protein families. The diversity of mammalian membrane compartments predicts the existence of a large number of different syntaxin and vesicle-associated membrane protein genes. To further investigate the spectrum of SNAREs and their roles in membrane trafficking we characterized three novel members of the syntaxin and SNAP-25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa) subfamilies. The proteins are broadly expressed, suggesting a general role in vesicle trafficking, and localize to distinct membrane compartments. Syntaxin 8 co-localizes with markers of the endoplasmic reticulum. Syntaxin 17, a divergent member of the syntaxin family, partially overlaps with endoplasmic reticulum markers, and SNAP-29 is broadly localized on multiple membranes. SNAP-29 does not contain a predicted membrane anchor characteristic of other SNAREs. In vitro studies established that SNAP-29 is capable of binding to a broad range of syntaxins.