Mechanism of lipid transfer by bridge-like protein VPS13A and the scramblase XK.
- Open access
VPS13A transfers lipids directly to membranes at contact sites with XK, enabling membrane growth through a bridge-like mechanism.
- Why it matters: Understanding how lipid transfer proteins coordinate with partner proteins is crucial for revealing fundamental cellular processes and addressing lipid-related diseases.
- What they did: Using cryo-electron microscopy, the study visualized a complex of VPS13A and XK at near-atomic resolution, showing VPS13A's interaction with XK and its lipid transfer function.
- The result: This mechanism facilitates efficient lipid delivery and membrane expansion, providing insights applicable to all VPS13 proteins and the broader BLTP family.