Isothermal titration calorimetry as a method to assess the binding kinetics of Syntaxin4, SNAP23, VAMP2 and Munc18c

Fuller, Andrew (2013) Isothermal titration calorimetry as a method to assess the binding kinetics of Syntaxin4, SNAP23, VAMP2 and Munc18c. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Printed Thesis Information: https://eleanor.lib.gla.ac.uk/record=b2977443

Abstract

The ability of humans to regulate their blood glucose using insulin responsive translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the plasma membrane is key to survival. In the absence of insulin GLUT4 is stored within intracellular vesicles which upon insulin stimulation translocate to the plasma membrane and then fuse with the plasma membrane. This fusion step is driven by a group of proteins known as SNARE proteins more specifically syntaxin 4 and SNAP23 in the plasma membrane and VAMP2 in the vesicle. Located in the plasma membrane and the intracellular vesicles, SNARE proteins are able to form a highly stable complex through their SNARE domains. The binding of SNARE domains to one another brings the vesicle and plasma membrane within close proximity, as the SNARE proteins form a stable complex the energy released is theorised to be sufficient to drive fusion of the vesicle and plasma membrane. The formation of the SNARE complex is regulated by the isolation of the contributing SNARE proteins and by other proteins which can bind both individual SNARE proteins and the SNARE complex as a whole. Munc18c is a member of one such class of proteins, Sec/Munc (SM) proteins and has been shown to bind to syntaxin 4 and the complete SNARE complex of syntaxin 4, SNAP23 and VAMP2. The exact amount of energy released upon the stable binding of SNARE domains in SNARE proteins and their associated regulatory proteins such as SM proteins is still a debated subject. This project aims to elucidate this information by utilising the highly sensitive technique isothermal titration calorimetry and recombinant protein synthesis and purification of the SNARE proteins syntaxin 4, SNAP23 and VAMP2 and the SM protein Munc18c.

Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
Qualification Level: Masters
Keywords: GLUT4, SNARE, Syntaxin 4, SNAP23, VAMP2, Munc18c, isothermal titration calorimetry
Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General)
Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Supervisor's Name: Gould, Prof. Gwyn
Date of Award: 2013
Depositing User: Mr Andrew Fuller
Unique ID: glathesis:2013-4087
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 15 Apr 2013 11:37
Last Modified: 15 Apr 2013 11:37
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/4087

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