The structure of cellular vaults, their role in the normal cell and in the multidrug resistance of cancer
Szaflarski, W.; Nowicki, M.Å‚; Zabel, M.
Postepy Biochemii 57(3): 266-273
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5422 PMID: 22235652 Document Number: 653130
The cellular vaults have been described for the first time in 1986 as ribonucleoprotein complexes composed of three proteins, MVP, TEP1 and vPARP and several vRNA strains. Biochemical and structural studies revealed their ubiquitous existence in the cytoplasm of many eukaryotic cells and their barrel-like structure indicating their engagement in the intracellular transport. Furthermore, the high homology between MVP and LRP which was already known to be involved in multidrug resistance mechanism opened a discussion about the role of vaults in both normal and cancer cells. The histopathology research demonstrated an increased amount of MVP/LRP proteins in the cancer as well as showed translocation possibility between cytoplasm and nuclear envelope, which can be of crucial point in the prevention of nucleus against anticancer drugs.