Heidi E. Hamm

Membrane-gated SNARE zippering focuses energy for fusion

This study uses optical tweezers to measure SNARE complex intermediates and energetics during membrane fusion, revealing how membrane forces, lipids, and regulatory proteins control the process.

Targeting Protease-activated Receptor 4 (PAR4) Protects Against Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

This study shows that PAR4 antagonism reduces AKI severity and improves survival in an IRI mouse model.

Architecture of the Gβγ-prefusion SNARE complex reveals the molecular mechanism of inhibition of vesicle fusion

The paper determines the structure of the Gβγ-prefusion SNARE complex using cryo-EM and proposes a model for how Gβγ inhibits synaptic vesicle fusion by blocking SNARE complex assembly.

Disabling Gβγ SNARE interaction in transgenic mice disrupts GPCR-mediated presynaptic inhibition leading to physiological and behavioral phenotypes.

This study shows that disrupting Gβγ-SNARE interaction in mice leads to impaired gait, nociception, and hippocampal function, highlighting its role in GPCR-mediated presynaptic inhibition.