ABSTRACT
We describe a neurobiological framework for membrane fusion and exocytosis within the SNARE (SNARE is an acronym for soluble NSF attachment protein receptor, where NSF abbreviates N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein) complex using vibrationally assisted tunneling and a quantum Davydov soliton mechanism. ¡e main feature concerns how the resulting dynamics induce a zipping of the four-α-helix bundle in the SNARE complex as instrumental for the triggering of neurotransmitter release. Owing to prevailing thermal ¦uctuations, the latter might function via stochastic modes. Further, as processes leading to neurotransmitter release via tunneling, they may be viewed as quantum/classical in nature.
