Tailored assemblies of COPII proteins in secretion

Abstract

Export of secretory cargoes from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) requires COPII proteins, which were first identified for their ability to coat small vesicles that bud from the ER. Recent data indicate that COPII proteins can also organize into a collar at the necks of tubules, as well as phase-separate into liquid-like condensates. Thus, COPII assemblies seem to be tailored to accommodate variations in the size and quantities of cargo secreted.