Vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''VAMP2''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...

Function

Synaptobrevin Synaptobrevins (''synaptobrevin isotypes 1-2'') are small integral membrane proteins of secretory vesicles with molecular weight of 18 kilodalton (kDa) that are part of the vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) family. Synaptobrev ...

s/VAMPs,

syntaxin Syntaxins are a family of membrane integrated Q-SNARE proteins participating in exocytosis. Domains Syntaxins possess a single C-terminal transmembrane domain, a SNARE domain (known as H3), and an N-terminal regulatory domain (Habc). Syntaxin ...

s, and the 25-kD synaptosomal-associated protein

SNAP25 Synaptosomal-Associated Protein, 25kDa (SNAP-25) is a Target Soluble NSF (''N''-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) Attachment Protein Receptor (t-SNARE) protein encoded by the ''SNAP25'' gene found on chromosome 20p12.2 in humans. SNAP-25 is a com ...

are the main components of a protein complex involved in the docking and/or fusion of

synaptic vesicle In a neuron, synaptic vesicles (or neurotransmitter vesicles) store various neurotransmitters that are released at the synapse. The release is regulated by a voltage-dependent calcium channel. Vesicles are essential for propagating nerve impulse ...

s with the presynaptic membrane. VAMP2 is a member of the vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)/synaptobrevin family. VAMP2 is thought to participate in

neurotransmitter A neurotransmitter is a signaling molecule secreted by a neuron to affect another cell across a synapse. The cell receiving the signal, any main body part or target cell, may be another neuron, but could also be a gland or muscle cell. Neu ...

release at a step between docking and

fusion Fusion, or synthesis, is the process of combining two or more distinct entities into a new whole. Fusion may also refer to: Science and technology Physics *Nuclear fusion, multiple atomic nuclei combining to form one or more different atomic nucl ...

. Mice lacking functional synaptobrevin2/VAMP2 gene cannot survive after birth, and have a dramatically reduced synaptic transmission, around 10% of control. The protein forms a stable complex with syntaxin, synaptosomal-associated protein, 25 kD, and complexin. It also forms a distinct complex with

synaptophysin Synaptophysin, also known as the major synaptic vesicle protein p38, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''SYP'' gene. Genomics The gene is located on the short arm of X chromosome (Xp11.23-p11.22). It is 12,406 bases in length a ...

Clinical significance

Heterozygous Zygosity (the noun, zygote, is from the Greek "yoked," from "yoke") () is the degree to which both copies of a chromosome or gene have the same genetic sequence. In other words, it is the degree of similarity of the alleles in an organism. ...

mutations In biology, a mutation is an alteration in the nucleic acid sequence of the genome of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA. Viral genomes contain either DNA or RNA. Mutations result from errors during DNA or viral replication, m ...

in VAMP2 cause a

neurodevelopmental disorder Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of disorders that affect the development of the nervous system, leading to abnormal brain function which may affect emotion, learning ability, self-control, and memory. The effects of neurodevelopmenta ...

with

hypotonia Hypotonia is a state of low muscle tone (the amount of tension or resistance to stretch in a muscle), often involving reduced muscle strength. Hypotonia is not a specific medical disorder, but a potential manifestation of many different diseases ...

and

autistic The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...

features (with or without hyperkinetic movements).

Interactions

VAMP2 has been shown to

interact Advocates for Informed Choice, doing business as, dba interACT or interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using innovative strategies to advocate for the legal and human rights of children with intersex trai ...

with: *

RABAC1 ''RABAC1'' is a gene that in humans encodes the protein Prenylated Rab acceptor 1, also called PRA1, PRAF1, or RABAC1. It is highly conserved in eukaryotes. The protein is localized to Golgi and late endosomes, where it plays a role in vesicular t ...

, *

SNAP-25 Synaptosomal-Associated Protein, 25kDa (SNAP-25) is a Target Soluble NSF (''N''-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) Attachment Protein Receptor (t-SNARE) protein encoded by the ''SNAP25'' gene found on chromosome 20p12.2 in humans. SNAP-25 is a com ...

, *

SNAP23 Synaptosomal-associated protein 23 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''SNAP23'' gene. Two alternative transcript variants encoding different protein isoforms have been described for this gene. Function Specificity of vesicular tr ...

, *

STX1A Syntaxin-1A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''STX1A'' gene. Function Synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters that are released during calcium-regulated exocytosis. The specificity of neurotransmitter release requires the localiz ...

, and *

STX4 Syntaxin-4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''STX4'' gene. Interactions STX4 has been shown to interact with: * Gelsolin, * NAPA, * RAB4A, * SNAP-25, * SNAP23, * STXBP1, * STXBP5, * Syntaxin binding protein 3, * TXLNB, ...

Function

Clinical significance

Interactions

References

Further reading