Three-dimensional computer-generated model of the eukaryotic vault organelle.
Three-dimensional computer-generated model of the eukaryotic vault organelle based upon Protein Data Bank entries 2ZV5, 2ZV4 and 2ZUO. The vault or vault cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein is a eukaryotic organelle whose function is not fully understood. They are found in many diverse eukaryotic cells. Under electron microscope they resemble the arches of a cathedral vault, with 39-fold symmetry. Despite not being fully elucidated, vaults have been associated with the nuclear pore complexes and their octagonal shape appears to support this. It has been concluded that the vault's function is the transportation of molecules, such as mRNA, from the nucleus to parts of the cytoplasm. It is also thought that vaults play a role in protein synthesis. Vaults become part of lipid rafts where they may play a role fighting pathogens. Vaults are large ribonucleoprotein particles, about 3 times the size of a ribosome. The vaults consist primarily of proteins
Size: 3600px × 5040px
Photo credit: © Scott Camazine / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: cell, computer-generated, eukaryotic, model, molecular, organelle, ribonucleoprotein, structure, transport, vault, vertical
