Term Name: vesicle tethering involved in exocytosis
Synonyms: vesicle tethering to plasma membrane
Definition: The initial, indirect interaction between a secretory vesicle membrane and a site of exocytosis in the plasma membrane. This interaction is mediated by tethering factors (or complexes), which interact with both membranes. Interaction can occur via direct binding to membrane phospholipids or membrane proteins, or via binding to vesicle coat proteins. This process is distinct from and prior to docking and fusion.
Ontology: GO: Biological Process [GO:0090522]    QuickGO    AmiGO

Relationships
is part of: exocytosis
is a type of: exocytic process vesicle tethering
has subtype: contractile vacuole tethering involved in discharge exocytic insertion of neurotransmitter receptor to plasma membrane synaptic vesicle tethering involved in synaptic vesicle exocytosis