The light sensitivity of rod cells is linked to the highly ordered membrane architecture of rod outer segments (ROS). Here, ROS ultrastructure is examined by cryo-electron tomography, identifying two types of molecular connectors between ROS disks. Moreover, a protein scaffold composed of PRPH2-ROM1 tetramers, which organizes the membrane curvature of ROS disk rims, is resolved. This work furthers the understanding of the ROS organization and of certain pathogenic mutations leading to blindness.     «

The light sensitivity of rod cells is linked to the highly ordered membrane architecture of rod outer segments (ROS). Here, ROS ultrastructure is examined by cryo-electron tomography, identifying two types of molecular connectors between ROS disks. Moreover, a protein scaffold composed of PRPH2-ROM1 tetramers, which organizes the membrane curvature of ROS disk rims, is resolved. This work furthers the understanding of the ROS organization and of certain pathogenic mutations leading to blindness...     »