Munc18

Munc18 is a cytosolic brain protein of ~67kD which plays a key role in vesicle membrane fusion events with the plasma membrane. Functional interactions have been demonstrated to exist between Munc18, synaptosomal associated protein of 25kD (SNAP-25), synaptobrevin, and syntaxin. Munc18 is the mammalian homologue of the C. elegans gene unc-18. Mutations in Munc18 can result in accumulations of acetylcholine and paralytic phenotype suggestive of a neurotransmitter release defect. Munc18 thus appears to be required by the synaptic vesicle fusion complex. Two Munc18 isoforms have recently been identified....