Mechanism of membrane-curvature generation by ER-tubule shaping proteins

Abstract

The endoplasmic reticulum network consists of tubules with high membrane curvature in cross-section, generated by the reticulons and REEPs, but how they introduce curvature is poorly understood. Here authors show that REEPs form homodimers and use their amphipathic helix and trans-membrane segments to introduce high membrane curvature that can even lead to the formation of lipoprotein particles.