N-Ethylmaleimide Sensitive Factor Attachment Protein Beta (NAPb)

Whiteheart et al. (1993) cloned beta-Snap from bovine brain and identified the mouse homolog. The deduced bovine protein contains 2 coiled-coil domains and 5 putative casein kinase II  phosphorylation sites. Northern blot analysis of mouse tissues detected beta-Snap expression in brain only. Whiteheart et al. (1993) stated that highest concentration of beta-Snap in mouse brain is in areas of high neuron density. The International Radiation Hybrid Mapping Consortium mapped the NAPB gene to chromosome 20 . NSF is a homohexameric AAA ATPase involved in membrane fusion. NSF is ubiquitously found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. It is a central component of the cellular machinery in the transfer of membrane vesicles from one membrane compartment to another.