SNAP‐25 in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Abstract
SNAP‐25 (synaptosomal‐associated protein of 25 kDa) is a plasma membrane protein that, together with syntaxin and the synaptic vesicle protein VAMP/synaptobrevin, forms the SNARE (soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) docking complex for regulated exocytosis. SNAP‐25 also modulates different voltage‐gated calcium channels, representing therefore a multifunctional protein that plays essential roles in neurotransmitter release at different steps. Recent genetic studies of human populations and of some mouse models implicate alterations in SNAP‐25 gene structure, expression, and/or function in contributing directly to these distinct neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.