Anti-N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein antibody

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) is an important component in the cellular machinery. It unwinds homo-oligomer complexes enabling membrane fusion in cells. NSF also goes by the name of NEM-sensitive factor. It has a mass of about 82 kDa. It is expressed in most tissues where membrane fusion processes occur such as neurons liver and other secretory cells.

Biological function summary

NSF plays a central role in ensuring proper vesicular transport. It is part of the SNARE complex which facilitates the fusion of vesicles with their target membranes. Interaction with small regulatory proteins like SNAPs (Soluble NSF Attachment Proteins) ensures NSF activity in recycling SNARE proteins after vesicle fusion. This process is critical for neurotransmitter release in neuronal synapses and for enzymatic secretion in glandular tissues.

Pathways

NSF contributes significantly to intracellular vesicle trafficking and neurotransmitter release pathways. In these pathways proteins like VAMP synaptobrevin and SNAP-25 interact with NSF to maintain the continuity of vesicle-mediated transport. NSF activity modulates SNARE-mediated vesicle fusion thereby allowing efficient cargo transfer between cellular compartments.

Associated diseases and disorders

NSF has connections to neurological disorders and certain protein trafficking diseases. Mutations in NSF or dysfunction of its SNARE partners can link to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Proteins like the amyloid-beta precursor protein can also interact aberrantly with NSF pathway components exacerbating disease states. Additionally improper NSF function may relate to cystic fibrosis due to issues in vesicular transport affecting CFTR protein localization.