A new yeast endosomal SNARE related to mammalian syntaxin 8

We report the identification of a yeast SNARE that has escaped notice because of an apparent error in the genome sequence and because it is functionally redundant. It is encoded by an extended version of ORF YAL014c, and since its SNARE motif is related to mammalian syntaxin 8 we term the gene SYN8. Syn8p is in endosomes. Co-precipitation indicates a set of complexes containing Pep12p, Vti1p, either Syn8p or Tlg1p and either Snc1p or Ykt6p. Analysis of growth and trafficking defects demonstrates that in the absence of Tlg1p, Syn8p is required for Pep12p function. Conversely, when Tlg1p is present, Syn8p can be removed without loss of Pep12p function, or induction of any other obvious trafficking defect. Syn8p thus appears to be a functional homolog of mammalian syntaxin 8, but Tlg1p can, amongst other roles, provide an equivalent function.