Cryo-EM reconstruction of a VPS13 fragment reveals a long groove to channel lipids between membranes.

A single particle cryo-EM reconstruction of an approximately 160-kD N-terminal fragment of the lipid transport protein VPS13 reveals an approximately 160-A long channel lined with hydrophobic residues suitable for solubilizing multiple lipid fatty acid moieties. The structure suggests that VPS13 and related proteins, like the autophagy protein ATG2, can act as bridges between organelle membranes to allow bulk lipid flow between organelles.