SNAREs and developmental disorders

Members of the solubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) family mediate membrane fusion processes associated with vesicular trafficking and autophagy. SNAREs mediate core membrane fusion processes essential for all cells, but some SNAREs serve cell/tissue type-specific exocytic/endocytic functions, and are therefore critical for various aspects of embryonic development. Mutations or variants of their encoding genes could give rise to developmental disorders, such as those affecting the nervous system and immune system in humans. Mutations to components in the canonical synaptic vesicle fusion SNARE complex (VAMP2, STX1A/B, and SNAP25) and a key regulator of SNARE complex formation MUNC18-1, produce variant phenotypes of autism, intellectual disability, movement disorders, and epilepsy.STX11andMUNC18-2mutations underlie 2 subtypes of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.STX3mutations contribute to variant microvillus inclusion disease. Chromosomal microdeletions involvingSTX16play a role in pseudohypoparathyroidism type IB associated with abnormal imprinting of theGNAScomplex locus. In this short review, I discuss these and other SNARE gene mutations and variants that are known to be associated with a variety developmental disorders, with a focus on their underlying cellular and molecular pathological basis deciphered through disease modeling. Possible pathogenic potentials of other SNAREs whose variants could be disease predisposing are also speculated upon.

Automated summary

Members of the SNARE family play critical roles in membrane fusion processes in cells, and mutations or variants of these genes can lead to developmental disorders affecting the nervous and immune systems, as well as conditions like autism and movement disorders. Understanding the underlying cellular and molecular pathological basis of these mutations is essential in deciphering the pathogenic potentials of other SNARE variants that may predispose individuals to disease.