Dynamics of the fusion pore in single-vesicle exocytosis

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Project objective

Although many of the proteins thought to be involved in regulated exocytosis have been cloned, their roles remain to be elucidated. I intend to study the function of specific proteins in the fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane in adrenal chromaffin cells. Using the techniques of membrane capacitance measurement and carbon-fiber amperometry (either individually or combined ) for detecting single vesicle fusion, I will characterize how the formation and evolution of the fusion pore -- the aqueous canal that connects the vesicle interiour with the extracellular medium -- depends on conditions such as calcium concentration, pH, temperature, and osmotic strength. I will also explore the effect of botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins. After the basic characterization of the behaviour of the fusion pore, I will extend the studies to genetically modified cells that either lack the studied proteins or that express an abnormal form.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH · EDINBURGHCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
• Not availableCity levelGermany

Links

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