In eukaryotic cells, the Golgi apparatus receives newly synthesized proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and, after covalent modification, delivers them to their destination in the cell. For membrane-directed proteins this process is believed to be carried out via vesicular transport. Correct vesicular transport is determined by specific pairing of vesicle-associated SNAREs (v-SNAREs) with those on the target membrane (t-SNAREs). Unconventional SNARE in the ER 1, also known as USE1 or protein p31, is a 259 amino acid t-SNARE that forms a larger complex with ZW10, RINT-1 and Syntaxin 18. Upon Mg2+-AP treatment in the presence of NSF and ?SNAP, ZW10, RINT-1 and USE1 dissociate from Syntaxin 18. USE1 is a single-pass type IV membrane protein that is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Three named isoforms exist for USE1 as a result of alternative splicing events.