Synaptobrevins/VAMPs, syntaxins, and the 25-kD synaptosomal-associated protein SNAP25 are the main components of a protein complex involved in the docking and/or fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. VAMP1 is a member of the vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)/synaptobrevin family. Multiple alternative splice variants that encode proteins with alternative carboxy ends have been described, but the full-length nature of some variants has not been defined. [provided by RefSeq]

The Vesicle Associated Membrane Proteins (VAMP) or synaptobrevins are calcium binding proteins specific to eukaryotes. VAMPs, along with synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and syntaxin, form the core complex of soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins that interact with the soluble proteins N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) and alpha-SNAP. These membrane associated proteins play a key role in the regulation of vesicle membrane fusion with the plasma membrane. The Clostridium tetani neurotoxin is a metalloprotease with specificity for VAMP. In Alzheimers disease, VAMP levels of all isoforms appear to be significantly lowered. It has been shown that the extreme carboxy-terminus of VAMP-1 is involved in subcellular vesicle targeting.