What role do v-SNARE and t-SNARE proteins play in vesicle transport?

v-SNARE and t-SNARE proteins are essential components in the process of vesicle transport, specifically associated with the docking and fusion of vesicles with their target membranes. The "v" in v-SNARE stands for vesicle, indicating that these proteins are located on vesicles, while the "t" in t-SNARE refers to target membranes, signifying their presence on the membranes that vesicles seek to fuse with.

During the transport process, v-SNARE proteins on the vesicle interact with t-SNARE proteins on the target membrane, forming a stable SNARE complex. This interaction is crucial, as it brings the membranes into close proximity, allowing for the fusion of the lipid bilayers and the consequent release of the vesicle's contents into the target compartment. Therefore, the role of these proteins is pivotal in facilitating not only the docking process but also the actual merging of the vesicle with the membrane. This functionality is a key aspect of intracellular transport mechanisms, including processes like neurotransmitter release and organelle communication within cells.