Evidence for interaction of the fusion protein alpha-SNAP with membrane lipid

alpha-SNAP [soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF)-attachment protein] is required for fusion of transport vesicles with their target membrane. In this study, we have examined the membrane-binding properties of alpha-SNAP. We have found that in several tissues a much larger amount of alpha-SNAP per unit weight of protein is bound to membranes than is free in the cytosol. Biochemical analysis shows that a fraction of alpha-SNAP behaves in ways characteristic of hydrophobic, lipid-associated proteins. These findings suggest that membrane binding may be accounted for, at least in part, by interaction with membrane lipid. Consistent with this idea, binding of newly synthesized alpha-SNAP to brain membranes was found to be independent of functional SNAP receptors and could be accounted for by direct binding of alpha-SNAP to membrane lipid. Furthermore, membrane lipid enhanced the ability of alpha-SNAP to stimulate NSF-dependent ATPase activity.