Reconstitution of membrane contact by unilamellar vesicles

Abstract

Eukaryotic cells compartmentalize diverse biochemical functions within organelles defined by intracellular membranes. Recent focus has intensified on studying the interactions among organelles and the role of membrane contacts in maintaining cellular balance. While analyzing these contacts mainly involves fluorescence and electron microscopy, as well as biochemical cell fractionation, understanding their mechanisms and responses to genetic and environmental changes remains challenging. Here we describe an approach employing in vitro reconstitution of membrane contacts using unilamellar vesicles. This technique offers insights into contact mechanisms when combined with established methods like fluorescence imaging and mass spectrometry, potentially deepening our understanding of membrane contacts and organelle networks.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Membrane contacts / Organelle interaction network / Giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) / Liposome / ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) / ER-exit sites (ERES) / COPII / TMED9 / SEC12 / Autophagy / Autophagosome