@article {67896,
	title = {The complexin C-terminal amphipathic helix stabilizes the fusion pore open state by sculpting membranes.},
	journal = {Nature Structural \& Molecular Biology},
	volume = {29},
	year = {2022},
	month = {2022 Feb 07},
	pages = {97-107},
	abstract = {<p>Neurotransmitter release is mediated by proteins that drive synaptic vesicle fusion with the presynaptic plasma membrane. While soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) form the core of the fusion apparatus, additional proteins play key roles in the fusion pathway. Here, we report that the C-terminal amphipathic helix of the mammalian accessory protein, complexin (Cpx), exerts profound effects on membranes, including the formation of pores and the efficient budding and fission of vesicles. Using nanodisc-black lipid membrane electrophysiology, we demonstrate that the membrane remodeling activity of Cpx modulates the structure and stability of recombinant exocytic fusion pores. Cpx had particularly strong effects on pores formed by small numbers of SNAREs. Under these conditions, Cpx increased the current through individual pores 3.5-fold, and increased the open time fraction from roughly 0.1 to 1.0. We propose that the membrane sculpting activity of Cpx contributes to the phospholipid rearrangements that underlie fusion by stabilizing highly curved membrane fusion intermediates.</p>
},
	issn = {1545-9985},
	doi = {10.1038/s41594-021-00716-0},
	author = {Courtney, Kevin C and Wu, Lanxi and Mandal, Taraknath and Swift, Mark and Zhang, Zhao and Alaghemandi, Mohammad and Wu, Zhenyong and Bradberry, Mazdak M and Deo, Claire and Lavis, Luke D and Volkmann, Niels and Hanein, Dorit and Cui, Qiang and Bao, Huan and Chapman, Edwin R}
}
