SNARE disassembly requires Sec18/NSF side loading

SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor) proteins drive membrane fusion at different cell compartments as their core domains zipper into a parallel four-helix bundle. After fusion, these bundles are disassembled by the AAA+ (ATPase associated with diverse cellular activities) protein Sec18/NSF and its adaptor Sec17/α-SNAP to make them available for subsequent rounds of membrane fusion. SNARE domains are often flanked by C-terminal transmembrane or N-terminal domains. Previous structures of the NSF-α-SNAP-SNARE complex revealed binding to the D1 ATPase pore, posing a topological constraint as SNARE transmembrane domains would prevent complete substrate threading as suggested for other AAA+ systems. Using mass spectrometry in yeast cells, we show N-terminal SNARE domain interactions with Sec18, exacerbating this topological issue. We present cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of a yeast SNARE complex, Sec18 and Sec17 in a nonhydrolyzing condition, which show SNARE Sso1 threaded through the D1 and D2 ATPase rings of Sec18, with its folded, N-terminal Habc domain interacting with the D2 ring. This domain does not unfold during Sec18/NSF activity. Cryo-EM structures under hydrolyzing conditions revealed substrate-released and substrate-free states of Sec18 with a coordinated opening in the side of the ATPase rings. Thus, Sec18/NSF operates by substrate side loading and unloading topologically constrained SNARE substrates.