The vault associates with membranes in situ
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: The eukaryotic vault particle is a giant ribonucleoprotein complex that assembles into an iconic barrel-like cage. Its cellular function has remained elusive despite extensive characterization. Using cryo-electron tomography of Dictyostelium discoideum cells, we define the distribution, structural states and interaction landscape of vault particles in situ. Surprisingly, we detect a subpopulation of vault particles associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclear envelope membranes. This association occurs at a defined barrel height of the vault particle. Those particles appear to localize to patches of reduced membrane bilayer thickness and altered curvature. We further find that a fraction of vaults encloses 80S ribosomes in highly ordered orientations. These structural findings are further corroborated by proximity labeling experiments which identify ER-resident proteins and numerous ribosomal components as vault particle interactors. The membrane-bound and ribosome-encapsulating vault populations that we uncover will direct future studies towards revealing vault function.
INSTRUMENT(S):
ORGANISM(S): Dictyostelium Discoideum (slime Mold)
SUBMITTER:
Julian Langer
LAB HEAD: Julian Langer
PROVIDER: PXD071329 | Pride | 2026-04-21
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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