Cooperative Action of SNARE Peptides in Fusion (C06*)

• Subject Area: Bioinformatics and Theoretical Biology
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 200049484

SNARE peptides act cooperatively during synaptic vesicle fusion. It has previously been suggested that oligomerization of SNARE complexes, which is required for cooperative action in fusion is mediated by interactions between their transmembrane domains (TMDs) and further tuned by interactions with the lipid environment. In this project, the oligomerization of SNARE TMD peptides, their interaction with the lipid surrounding, and the peptide-induced membrane curvature and its influence on membrane fusion will be studied using molecular dynamics simulations.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1027: Physical Modelling of Non-Equilibrium Processes in Biological Systems
• Applicant Institution: Universität des Saarlandes
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Rainer Böckmann