Vaults are the largest ribonucleoprotein particles found in eukaryotic cells, with an unclear
cellular function and promising applications as vehicles for drug delivery. In this article, we
examine the local stiffness of individual vaults and probe their structural stability with atomic
force microscopy under physiological conditions. Our data show that the barrel, the central
part of the vault, governs both the stiffness and mechanical strength of these particles. In
addition, we induce single-protein fractures in the barrel shell and monitor their temporal …

Vaults are the largest ribonucleoprotein particles found in eukaryotic cells, with an unclear
cellular function and promising applications as drug delivery containers. In this paper we
study the local stiffness of individual vaults and probe their structural stability with Atomic
Force Microscopy (AFM) under physiological conditions. Our data show that the barrel, the
central part of the vault, governs both the stiffness and mechanical strength of these
particles. In addition, we induce single protein fractures in the barrel shell and monitor their …