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Updated: Oct 8, 2026

Analysis of SNARE-mediated Membrane Fusion Using an Enzymatic Cell Fusion Assay
Published on: October 19, 2012
NGF enhances depolarization effects on SNAP-25 expression: induction of SNAP-25b isoform
1INSERM Unité 338, Biologie de la Communication Cellulaire and CNRS FRE 2180, Strasbourg, France.
Abstract:
The 25 kDa synaptosomal associated protein (SNAP-25), which is implicated in neuronal plasticity and neurosecretion, exists as two isoforms generated by alternative splicing of exons 5a and 5b. The aim of the present study was to characterize factors influencing isoform expression. We report that chronic depolarization of PC12 cells alone or in the presence of NGF induces the expression of isoform-b, in addition to a 1.8- to 3-fold increase in SNAP-25 mRNA and protein as determined by immunoblotting and combined RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis. When cerebellar granule neurons were cultured in elevated K+, the predominant isoform switched from SNAP-25a to SNAP-25b. Taken together these results suggested that chronic depolarization regulates the transcription and processing of SNAP-25 mRNA.
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