Vesicular transport protein

Vesicular transport protein is a type of protein that plays a crucial role in the vesicular transport process within a cell. These proteins are involved in the movement of lipids, proteins, and other molecules between various compartments within the cell.

Function

Vesicular transport proteins are responsible for the transport of molecules between different parts of the cell. This is achieved through the formation of vesicles, small, membrane-bound structures that can carry molecules from one location to another. The proteins involved in this process can be categorized into two main types: Vesicle coat proteins and Vesicle fusion proteins.

Vesicle Coat Proteins

Vesicle coat proteins are responsible for the formation of vesicles. They do this by binding to the membrane of the compartment from which the vesicle is budding, causing it to curve and eventually pinch off to form a separate vesicle. Examples of vesicle coat proteins include Clathrin, COP I, and COP II.

Vesicle Fusion Proteins

Vesicle fusion proteins, on the other hand, are involved in the fusion of the vesicle with its target compartment. These proteins ensure that the vesicle fuses with the correct compartment, thus ensuring the accurate delivery of its cargo. Examples of vesicle fusion proteins include SNAREs and Rab proteins.

Role in Disease

Defects in vesicular transport proteins can lead to a variety of diseases. For example, mutations in the genes encoding for these proteins can cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In addition, defects in vesicular transport can also lead to immune system disorders and cancer.

See Also

• Cell biology
• Endocytosis
• Exocytosis
• Protein targeting

References

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  Crystal Structure of the Vesicular Transport Protein Sec17