Synthetic SNAP Protein

Description of Synthetic SNAP Protein

Generalities on SNAP Protein

Synaptosome nerve-associated protein also known as SNAP protein is component of SNARE protein complex. SNAP protein is involved in the exocytotic release of neurotransmitters during synaptic transmission. It is believed that SNAP protein controls exocytic and endocytic processes at the presynaptic terminal. Data suggests that SNAP protein is also implicated in postsynaptic receptor trafficking. However, a clear demonstration of SNAP protein localization in postsynaptic neuron is lacking. Even more so, since data suggests that this protein is located in the presynaptic location exclusively.

SNAP protein has also been suggested to play an important role in modulation of voltage-gated calcium channel-mediated (VGCC) signaling, short term plasticity, long term plasticity, dendritic spine morphogenesis, cognitive ability, learning and memory and network excitability. As such, deregulation of SNAP protein has been linked to several disorders such as early onset bipolar disorder, ADHD, increased risk of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia.

SNAP along with syntaxin and synaptobrevin (which are vesicle-associated membranes) have been implicated as central elements of an exocytotic membrane fusion complex in neurons. It is believed that SNAP protein binds directly to both synaptobrevin and syntaxin. Data suggests that SNAP is implicated in the final steps of intracellular membrane fusion.