Membrane bound compartment in the cell cytoplasm. The site of lipid, membrane bound protein and secretory protein synthesis.

An organelle consisting of a series of flat membrane bound sacs. Proteins and lipids synthesised in the endoplasmic reticulum are transported here, where they and modified and sorted.

The fusion of membranes from different compartments of a cell. E.g. vesicle membrane fusing with plasma membrane

N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein. Yeast homolog = sec18. NSF is an ATPase which separates SNAREs from the cis SNARE complex after the fusion reaction has occured.

Cytosolic proteins that form part of the SNARE complex. They promote vesicle fusion. Used in both the constitutive and regulatory pathways.

Family of transmembrane proteins found on vesicle and target membranes. They are receptors for SNAPs. They aid the binding of vesicles to the correct target and are involved in mediation of the fusion reaction. Examples of SNAREs include: syntaxin and synaptobrevin.

Calcium binding protein found on vesicle membrane. It prevents fusion until calcium levels rise.

Network of cisternae at the trans face of the golgi apparatus. Material is transported through this on exit from the golgi.

The process in which material from one membrane domain of a cell is taken up into vesicles via endocytosis, the material is transported across the cell and released from another membrane domain via exocytosis.