[Jigok Lecture Series] ▶Subject: SNAREs and Atlastin in Homotypic ER Membrane Fusion ▶Speaker: Prof. Young Soo Jun (School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology) ▶Date: 4:30PM/May. 26(Thu.)/2016 ▶Place: Auditorium(1F), Postech Biotech Center *Abctract Dynamin-like GTPases of the atlastin family are thought to mediate homotypic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane fusion; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. Recently, we developed a simple and quantitative in vitro assay using isolated yeast microsomes for measuring yeast atlastin Sey1p-dependent ER fusion. Using this assay, we found that the ER SNAREs Sec22p and Sec20p were required for Sey1p-mediated ER fusion. Consistently, ER fusion was significantly reduced by inhibition of Sec18p and Sec17p, which regulate SNARE-mediated membrane fusion. The involvement of SNAREs in Sey1p-dependent ER fusion was further supported by the physical interaction of Sey1p with Sec22p and Ufe1p, another ER SNARE. Furthermore, our estimation of the concentration of Sey1p on isolated microsomes, together with the lack of fusion between Sey1p proteoliposomes even with a 25-fold excess of the physiological concentration of Sey1p, suggests that Sey1p requires additional factors to support ER fusion in vivo. Collectively, our data strongly suggest that SNAREs are required for atlastin-initiated homotypic ER fusion. In this talk, I will also briefly introduce on-going studies in my laboratory for elucidating homotypic ER membrane fusion mechanisms. ▶Inquiry: Prof. Yoo, Joo-Yeon (279-2346) * This seminar will be given in English. please refrain from taking photos during seminars. *