Endothelial cells store VWF (von Willebrand factor) in rod-shaped secretory organelles, called Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs). WPB exocytosis is coordinated by a complex network of Rab GTPases, Rab effectors, and SNARE (soluble NSF attachment protein receptor) proteins. We have previously identified STXBP1 as the link between the Rab27A-Slp4-a complex on WPBs and the SNARE proteins syntaxin-2 and -3. In this study, we investigate the function of syntaxin-3 in VWF secretion. Our data reveal syntaxin-3 as a novel WPB-associated SNARE protein that controls WPB exocytosis.
Maaike Schillemans, Ellie Karampini, Bart van den Eshof, Anastasia Gangaev, Menno Hofman, Dorothee van Breevoort, Henriët Meems, Hans Janssen, Aat A. Mulder, Carolina R. Jost, Johanna C. Escher, Rüdiger Adam, Tom Carter, Abraham J. Koster, Maartje van den Biggelaar, Jan Voorberg, Ruben Bierings. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2018;37:00-00. DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.117.310701.