Mechanism for Vipp1 spiral formation, ring biogenesis and membrane repair

Summary ESCRT-III family proteins build dynamic filaments that remodel membrane. Although the transition of planar filaments into 3D membrane budding structures is fundamental for their function, the geometric changes in polymer architecture driving the transition remain obscure. Here we show how bacterial Vipp1 polymerises into dynamic planar sheets and spirals on membrane. The spirals converge to form a central ring like those known to bud membrane. To probe how Vipp1 morphs between polymers, we determine the architecture of multiple helical filaments. As well as describing filament constriction and membrane tubulation, the geometric relationship between helical and planar lattices enables Vipp1 sheets and spirals to be modelled. Moreover, the helical structures show filaments twisting – a process needed for Vipp1 to transition between planar and 3D architectures. Given the structural conservation between Vipp1 and ESCRT-III, our results may represent the broad changes in geometry required for some ESCRT-III filaments to switch between 2D and 3D forms.