Finally, the analysis of pore-intermediates (arcs) has allowed us to propose a detailed mechanism of oligomerization and pore-formation.

This figure shows the lipids that bind to the protein. The red molecules are cholesterol. Until now, virtually no one has been able to see cholesterol bound to a protein in the level of detail shown here.

The pores have been analyzed in nanodisc and liposome ensembles containing PC, SM, and Chol.

The final structures of the pores with atomic resolution, including lipids such as sphingomyelin and cholesterol, are the result of combining more than two million cryo-EM images.

The results shown are the product of a close collaboration among Complutense University, CSIC and Thermo Fisher.