kiss-and-run fusion

kiss-and-run fusion

A fanciful term for a type of exocytosis in which a synaptic vesicle docks and temporarily fuses (“kisses”) at a porosome in the presynaptic membrane, releasing its content (e.g., neurotransmitters) at the synapse, then uncouples (“runs”). Kiss-and-run has two main advantages over full fusion, in which the vesicle completely collapses:
(1) The vesicle can be reused; and
(2) The amount of content released can be controlled, depending on the length of the “kiss”.

Examples—kiss-and-run exocytosis
Pancreatic beta cells and other endocrine and neuroendocrine cells; hippocampus; inner membrane of mitochondria.

Regulation
• Calcium-dependent actin coating of vesicles;
• Myosin II regulates fusion pore dynamics;
• Possibly by SNARE (SNAP (Soluble NSF Attachment Protein) Receptor) proteins.

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