Porosome complex

The **Porosome complex** is a nanoscale, cup-shaped, supramolecular lipoprotein structure located at the cell plasma membrane, universally present in secretory cells[4][7]. It serves as the principal site where secretory vesicles dock and transiently fuse with the plasma membrane to release a portion of their contents to the extracellular space—a mechanism called "fractional" or "kiss-and-run" secretion[1][2][3][5]. The porosome complex is comprised of multiple proteins, including SNAREs, cytoskeletal elements (such as actin and myosin), and various structural and regulatory proteins arranged in a highly ordered manner[2][3]. Functional abnormalities of the porosome have been implicated in diverse secretory diseases, including diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, cystic fibrosis, immune diseases, and certain cancers[6]. Emerging therapies aim to modulate or restore porosome function, either by small-molecule/nanobody approaches or by reconstituting porosome complexes in stem cell–derived therapy for secretory insufficiencies[6]. No direct drugs currently target the porosome marketed as therapies, but it is an active area of translational research.

Other names

PorosomeSecretory portalSecretory portal complex

Modulation of vesicle fusion/docking; Modulation of porosome-lipid/protein interactions; Restoration or enhancement of secretory machinery (e.g., porosome reconstitution in beta cells for diabetes therapy)[6]