All cells contain numerous membrane-bound organelles that carry out specific functions. These compartments do not, however, act in isolation. Some are in direct contact via membrane contact sites, while others exchange material via specific vesicles or tubular carriers laden with cargo. The term tethering in the context of this review is used to describe the primary recognition and docking of transport carriers with acceptor organelles that occurs before SNARE engagement and membrane fusion. However, it is important to note that other tethering events occur, for example, between organelles in direct contact, which do not lead to fusion.
