Sungkyunkwan University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Dae-Hyuk Kweon's research lab specializes in membrane biology and protein-membrane interactions, with a focus on the structural and dynamic mechanisms underlying membrane fusion in cellular trafficking. The lab investigates SNARE proteins and their role in neurotransmitter release, endocytosis, and exocytosis, using advanced biophysical techniques such as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and fluorescence spectroscopy. A central theme is understanding how protein complexes like the SNARE complex couple with lipid membranes to drive membrane fusion, including key intermediates such as hemifusion and fusion pore formation. The lab also explores protein purification and refolding strategies using engineered polycationic tags, demonstrating innovative applications in structural biology and biotechnology.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
In the neuron, soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins assemble into an alpha-helical coiled coil that bridges the synaptic vesicle to the plasma membrane and drives membrane fusion, a required process for neurotransmitter release at the nerve terminal. How does coiled coil formation drive membrane fusion? To investigate the structural and energetic coupling between the coiled coil and membrane, the recombinant SNARE complex in the phospholipid bila
The formation of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex is an essential process for membrane fusion and the neurotransmitter release in neurons. As an initial step toward the determination of the membrane topology of the SNARE complex, residues at the membrane-water interface were investigated with site-specific spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance. EPR analysis revealed that the basic amino acid-rich interfacial region, which is univer
Specific interaction of the epsin N-terminal homology (ENTH) domain with the plasma membrane appears to bridge other related proteins to the specific regions of the membrane that are invaginated to form endocytic vesicles. An additional a-helix, referred to as helix 0 (H0), is formed in the presence of the soluble ligand inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] at the N terminus of the ENTH domain (amino acid residues 3-15). The ENTH domain alone and full-length epsin cause tubulation of lipo
Expression with a fusion partner is now a popular scheme to produce a protein of interest because it provides a generic tool for expression and purification. In our previous study, a strong polycationic tail has been harnessed for an efficient purification scheme. Here, the same polycation tail attached to a protein of interest is shown to hold versatility for a solid-phase refolding method that utilizes a charged adsorbent as a supporting material. Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) fuse
In the neuron, early neurotransmitters are released through the fusion pore prior to the complete vesicle fusion. It has been thought that the fusion pore is a gap junction-like structure made of transmembrane domains (TMDs) of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins. However, evidence has accumulated that lipid mixing occurs prior to the neurotransmitter release through the fusion pore lined predominantly with lipids. To explain these observations,
Vesicle-associated V-soluble <i>N</i>-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins and target membrane-associated T-SNAREs (syntaxin 4 and SNAP-23) assemble into a core <i>trans</i>-SNARE complex that mediates membrane fusion during mast cell degranulation. This complex plays pivotal roles at various stages of exocytosis from the initial priming step to fusion pore opening and expansion, finally resulting in the release of the vesicle contents. In this study, pept
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