Channel Nucleoporins Recruit PLK-1 to Nuclear Pore Complexes to Direct Nuclear Envelope Breakdown in C. elegans

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) span the nuclear envelope and mediate communication between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. To obtain insight into the structure and function of NPCs of multicellular organisms, we have initiated an extensive analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans nucleoporins. Of 20 assigned C. elegans nucleoporin genes, 17 were found to be essential for embryonic development either alone or in combination. In several cases, depletion of nucleoporins by RNAi caused severe defects in nuclear appearance. More specifically, the C. elegans homologs of vertebrate Nup93 and Nup205 were each found to be required for normal NPC distribution in the nuclear envelope in vivo. Depletion of Nup93 or Nup205 caused a failure in nuclear exclusion of nonnuclear macromolecules of ∼70 kDa without preventing active nuclear protein import or the assembly of the nuclear envelope. The defects in NPC exclusion were accompanied by abnormal chromatin condensation and early embryonic arrest. Thus, the contribution to NPC structure of Nup93 and Nup205 is essential for establishment of normal NPC function and for cell viability.

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Nup358 integrates nuclear envelope breakdown with kinetochore assembly

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.200304080 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 162 (6) ◽

pp. 991-1001 ◽

Cited By ~ 135

Author(s):

Davide Salina ◽

Paul Enarson ◽

J.B. Rattner ◽

Brian Burke

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Mitotic Checkpoint ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Nuclear Envelope Breakdown ◽

Chromosome Congression ◽

Chromatid Segregation ◽

Pore Complexes ◽

Membrane Components ◽

And Function

Nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD) and release of condensed chromosomes into the cytoplasm are key events in the early stages of mitosis in metazoans. NEBD involves the disassembly of all major structural elements of the nuclear envelope, including nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), and the dispersal of nuclear membrane components. The breakdown process is facilitated by microtubules of the mitotic spindle. After NEBD, engagement of spindle microtubules with chromosome-associated kinetochores leads to chromatid segregation. Several NPC subunits relocate to kinetochores after NEBD. siRNA-mediated depletion of one of these proteins, Nup358, reveals that it is essential for kinetochore function. In the absence of Nup358, chromosome congression and segregation are severely perturbed. At the same time, the assembly of other kinetochore components is strongly inhibited, leading to aberrant kinetochore structure. The implication is that Nup358 plays an essential role in integrating NEBD with kinetochore maturation and function. Mitotic arrest associated with Nup358 depletion further suggests that mitotic checkpoint complexes may remain active at nonkinetochore sites.

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Nuclear Envelope Breakdown Is Coordinated by Both Nup358/RanBP2 and Nup153, Two Nucleoporins with Zinc Finger Modules

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.e05-06-0485 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 760-769 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Amy J. Prunuske ◽

Jin Liu ◽

Suzanne Elgort ◽

Jomon Joseph ◽

Mary Dasso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Nuclear Lamina ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Zinc Finger Domain ◽

Membrane Remodeling ◽

Nuclear Envelope Breakdown ◽

Pore Complexes

When higher eukaryotic cells transition into mitosis, the nuclear envelope, nuclear pore complexes, and nuclear lamina are coordinately disassembled. The COPI coatomer complex, which plays a major role in membrane remodeling at the Golgi, has been implicated in the process of nuclear envelope breakdown and requires interactions at the nuclear pore complex for recruitment to this new site of action at mitosis. Nup153, a resident of the nuclear pore basket, was found to be involved in COPI recruitment, but the molecular nature of the interface between COPI and the nuclear pore has not been fully elucidated. To better understand what occurs at the nuclear pore at this juncture, we have probed the role of the nucleoporin Nup358/RanBP2. Nup358 contains a repetitive zinc finger domain with overall organization similar to a region within Nup153 that is critical to COPI association, yet inspection of these two zinc finger domains reveals features that also clearly distinguish them. Here, we found that the Nup358 zinc finger domain, but not a zinc finger domain from an unrelated protein, binds to COPI and dominantly inhibits progression of nuclear envelope breakdown in an assay that robustly recapitulates this process in vitro. Moreover, the Nup358 zinc finger domain interferes with COPI recruitment to the nuclear rim. Consistent with a role for this pore protein in coordinating nuclear envelope breakdown, Nup358-specific antibodies impair nuclear disassembly. Significantly, targeting either Nup153 or Nup358 for inhibition perturbs nuclear envelope breakdown, supporting a model in which these nucleoporins play nonredundant roles, perhaps contributing to COPI recruitment platforms on both the nuclear and cytoplasmic faces of the pore. We found that an individual zinc finger is the minimal interface for COPI association, although tandem zinc fingers are optimal. These results provide new information about the critical components of nuclear membrane remodeling and lay the foundation for a better understanding of how this process is regulated.

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Nuclear Envelope Dynamics During Mitosis

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100103188 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 224-225

Author(s):

Brian Burke

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Membrane Vesicles ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Animal Cells ◽

Interphase Chromosome ◽

Lamin B ◽

Chromosome Architecture ◽

Complex Membrane ◽

Pore Complexes

The nuclear envelope is a complex membrane structure that forms the boundary of the nuclear compartment in eukaryotes. It regulates the passage of macromolecules between the two compartments and may be important for organizing interphase chromosome architecture. In interphase animal cells it forms a remarkably stable structure consisting of a double membrane ouerlying a protein meshwork or lamina and penetrated by nuclear pore complexes. The latter form the channels for nucleocytoplasmic exchange of macromolecules, At the onset of mitosis, however, it rapidly disassembles, the membranes fragment to yield small vesicles and the lamina, which is composed of predominantly three polypeptides, lamins R, B and C (MW approx. 74, 68 and 65 kDa respectiuely), breaks down. Lamins B and C are dispersed as monomers throughout the mitotic cytoplasm, while lamin B remains associated with the nuclear membrane vesicles.

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The Three Fungal Transmembrane Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins of Aspergillus nidulans Are Dispensable in the Presence of an Intact An-Nup84-120 Complex

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.e08-06-0628 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 616-630 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

Hui-Lin Liu ◽

Colin P.C. De Souza ◽

Aysha H. Osmani ◽

Stephen A. Osmani

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Aspergillus Nidulans ◽

Nuclear Pore Complex ◽

Mitotic Spindle ◽

Spindle Pole ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Spindle Pole Bodies ◽

Pore Complexes

In Aspergillus nidulans nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) undergo partial mitotic disassembly such that 12 NPC proteins (Nups) form a core structure anchored across the nuclear envelope (NE). To investigate how the NPC core is maintained, we affinity purified the major core An-Nup84-120 complex and identified two new fungal Nups, An-Nup37 and An-ELYS, previously thought to be vertebrate specific. During mitosis the An-Nup84-120 complex locates to the NE and spindle pole bodies but, unlike vertebrate cells, does not concentrate at kinetochores. We find that mutants lacking individual An-Nup84-120 components are sensitive to the membrane destabilizer benzyl alcohol (BA) and high temperature. Although such mutants display no defects in mitotic spindle formation, they undergo mitotic specific disassembly of the NPC core and transient aggregation of the mitotic NE, suggesting the An-Nup84-120 complex might function with membrane. Supporting this, we show cells devoid of all known fungal transmembrane Nups (An-Ndc1, An-Pom152, and An-Pom34) are viable but that An-ndc1 deletion combined with deletion of individual An-Nup84-120 components is either lethal or causes sensitivity to treatments expected to destabilize membrane. Therefore, the An-Nup84-120 complex performs roles, perhaps at the NPC membrane as proposed previously, that become essential without the An-Ndc1 transmembrane Nup.

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In Vivo Dynamics of Nuclear Pore Complexes in Yeast

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.136.6.1185 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 136 (6) ◽

pp. 1185-1199 ◽

Cited By ~ 82

Author(s):

Mirella Bucci ◽

Susan R. Wente

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Recipient Cell ◽

Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽

Yeast Cells ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Central Location ◽

Nuclear Membranes ◽

Mutant Strains ◽

Pore Complexes

While much is known about the role of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) in nucleocytoplasmic transport, the mechanism of NPC assembly into pores formed through the double lipid bilayer of the nuclear envelope is not well defined. To investigate the dynamics of NPCs, we developed a live-cell assay in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The nucleoporin Nup49p was fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) of Aequorea victoria and expressed in nup49 null haploid yeast cells. When the GFP–Nup49p donor cell was mated with a recipient cell harboring only unlabeled Nup49p, the nuclei fused as a consequence of the normal mating process. By monitoring the distribution of the GFP–Nup49p, we could assess whether NPCs were able to move from the donor section of the nuclear envelope to that of the recipient nucleus. We observed that fluorescent NPCs moved and encircled the entire nucleus within 25 min after fusion. When assays were done in mutant kar1-1 strains, where nuclear fusion does not occur, GFP–Nup49p appearance in the recipient nucleus occurred at a very slow rate, presumably due to new NPC biogenesis or to exchange of GFP– Nup49p into existing recipient NPCs. Interestingly, in a number of existing mutant strains, NPCs are clustered together at permissive growth temperatures. This has been explained with two different hypotheses: by movement of NPCs through the double nuclear membranes with subsequent clustering at a central location; or, alternatively, by assembly of all NPCs at a central location (such as the spindle pole body) with NPCs in mutant cells unable to move away from this point. Using the GFP–Nup49p system with a mutant in the NPCassociated factor Gle2p that exhibits formation of NPC clusters only at 37°C, it was possible to distinguish between these two models for NPC dynamics. GFP– Nup49p-labeled NPCs, assembled at 23°C, moved into clusters when the cells were shifted to growth at 37°C. These results indicate that NPCs can move through the double nuclear membranes and, moreover, can do so to form NPC clusters in mutant strains. Such clusters may result by releasing NPCs from a nuclear tether, or by disappearance of a protein that normally prevents pore aggregation. This system represents a novel approach for identifying regulators of NPC assembly and movement in the future.

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Phosphorylation-dependent mitotic SUMOylation drives nuclear envelope–chromatin interactions

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.202103036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 220 (12) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christopher Ptak ◽

Natasha O. Saik ◽

Ashwini Premashankar ◽

Diego L. Lapetina ◽

John D. Aitchison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Spatial Organization ◽

G1 Phase ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Chromatin Binding ◽

Chromatin Interactions ◽

Sumo Ligase ◽

Pore Complexes

In eukaryotes, chromatin binding to the inner nuclear membrane (INM) and nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) contributes to spatial organization of the genome and epigenetic programs important for gene expression. In mitosis, chromatin–nuclear envelope (NE) interactions are lost and then formed again as sister chromosomes segregate to postmitotic nuclei. Investigating these processes in S. cerevisiae, we identified temporally and spatially controlled phosphorylation-dependent SUMOylation events that positively regulate postmetaphase chromatin association with the NE. Our work establishes a phosphorylation-mediated targeting mechanism of the SUMO ligase Siz2 to the INM during mitosis, where Siz2 binds to and SUMOylates the VAP protein Scs2. The recruitment of Siz2 through Scs2 is further responsible for a wave of SUMOylation along the INM that supports the assembly and anchorage of subtelomeric chromatin at the INM and localization of an active gene (INO1) to NPCs during the later stages of mitosis and into G1-phase.

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The preparation and ultrastructure of avian erythrocyte nuclear envelope enclosed by the plasma membrane

Journal of Cell Science ◽

10.1242/jcs.34.1.81 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 81-90

Author(s):

J.R. Harris

Keyword(s):

Plasma Membrane ◽

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Ammonium Molybdate ◽

Negative Staining ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Thin Sectioning ◽

Avian Erythrocyte ◽

Pore Complexes ◽

Low Ionic Strength

A procedure is described for the preparation of avian erythrocyte nuclear envelope ghosts which remain enclosed by the ellipsoid plasma membrane. Haemoglobin-free nucleated chicken erythrocyte ghosts are treated in a low ionic strength buffer plus heparin which brings about decondensation of the chromatin. This is followed by solubilization of the chromatin by digestion with pancreatic deoxyribonuclease-1. When studied by light microscopy using either phase-contrast or Nomarski interference optics, the ellipsoid plasma membrane is clearly seen to remain with the collapsed nuclear envelope trapped inside. This interpretation is supported by negative-staining electron microscopy using ammonium molybdate, which in addition reveals the presence of the nuclear pore complexes. The suggestion is advanced that structural protection is provided for the fragile nuclear envelope system by the surrounding plasma membrane, which might account for the final nuclear envelope being in the form of relatively intact ghosts with well defined nuclear pore complexes. The nuclear envelope is highly fragmented when the plasma membrane is absent, the nuclear pore complexes showing appreciable breakdown. Thin sectioning supports the results of negative staining and in addition shows the nuclear envelope retained within the plasma membrane to be composed of both inner and outer nuclear membranes, but the nuclear pore complexes are not clearly defined.

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Nuclear envelope organization in Dictyostelium discoideum

The International Journal of Developmental Biology ◽

10.1387/ijdb.190184rg ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (8-9-10) ◽

pp. 509-519 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Petros Batsios ◽

Ralph Gräf ◽

Michael P. Koonce ◽

Denis A. Larochelle ◽

Irene Meyer

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Envelope ◽

Nuclear Membrane ◽

Nuclear Lamina ◽

Major Constituent ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Linc Complex ◽

Family Protein ◽

Import And Export ◽

Pore Complexes

The nuclear envelope consists of the outer and the inner nuclear membrane, the nuclear lamina and the nuclear pore complexes, which regulate nuclear import and export. The major constituent of the nuclear lamina of Dictyostelium is the lamin NE81. It can form filaments like B-type lamins and it interacts with Sun1, as well as with the LEM/HeH-family protein Src1. Sun1 and Src1 are nuclear envelope transmembrane proteins involved in the centrosome-nucleus connection and nuclear envelope stability at the nucleolar regions, respectively. In conjunction with a KASH-domain protein, Sun1 usually forms a so-called LINC complex. Two proteins with functions reminiscent of KASH-domain proteins at the outer nuclear membrane of Dictyostelium are known; interaptin which serves as an actin connector and the kinesin Kif9 which plays a role in the microtubule-centrosome connector. However, both of these lack the conserved KASH-domain. The link of the centrosome to the nuclear envelope is essential for the insertion of the centrosome into the nuclear envelope and the appropriate spindle formation. Moreover, centrosome insertion is involved in permeabilization of the mitotic nucleus, which ensures access of tubulin dimers and spindle assembly factors. Our recent progress in identifying key molecular players at the nuclear envelope of Dictyostelium promises further insights into the mechanisms of nuclear envelope dynamics.

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