Interference of Zippering of Snare Complexes by Alpha-Snap Arrest Fusion of Chromaffin Granule

Abstract

Exocytosis underlies release of neurotransmitters and hormones. Electrophysiological and electrochemical measurements from live cells have shown that the initial fusion pore is small (~1 nm diameter) and can repeatedly flicker before either dilating fully, or closing permanently. The fraction of flickering pores and flicker characteristics vary with stimulation strength, regulating the