HRSEM of the nuclear envelope (NE): Nuclear pore substructure; baskets and fibrous components

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 492-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin W. Goldberg ◽  
Terence D. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Objective Lens ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Three Dimensional Model

The nuclear envelope (NE) of eukaryotic cells has been studied for many years by a variety of em techniques yielding a three dimensional model of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) consisting of two rings (∼120nm diameter), one at the outer NE and one at the inner NE. Between the rings are eight spoke structures and a central plug. The cytoplasmic ring may be decorated with up to eight particles. The NPCs are embedded in a proteinaceous network: the nuclear lamina. Recently, low voltage HRSEM was used to show the existence of a basket-like structure attached to the nucleoplasmic ring. SEM is an ideal technique for the study of membrane surfaces. High resolution can be achieved in SEMs by the use of a field emission source which produces a high brightness probe of less than lnm diameter and a specimen stage within the objective lens, reducing chromatic abberations and production of SEIII electrons. Resolution of biological specimens can be further enhanced by coating with thin, continuous films of refractory metals such as chromium or tantalum which allows the use of higher accelerating voltages and magnifications. The NEs of Xenopus oocyte germinal vesicles have been prepared as previously described for HRSEM without detergent except they have been coated nominally with 3nm of tantalum by magnetron sputtering instead of ion beam sputtered platinum. NEs have then been examined at 30kV. The ring, plug/spoke complex and particles can all be seen at the cytoplasmic surface as well as details of the outer membrane structure and particles associated with it (Fig. 1). On the nucleoplasmic surface (Fig. 2) the inner ring is observed. It has a subunit appearance with eight filaments extending from between the subunits to a third ring structure: these make up the basket-like structure. When ‘baskets’ are close together they are joined by fibres at the ‘basket ring’ (Fig. 2). When several baskets are in close proximity these fibres form a network like a canopy over the baskets (Fig. 3). Other fibres are present on the inner membrane surface which may be membrane associated fibres or canopy fibres that have collapsed. It is uncertain which, if any, of these fibres are lamins as a further level of fibres is observed at the level of the nucleoplasmic ring when the membrane is removed with detergent (Fig. 4). These fibres are consistent with previously described lamina.

scholarly journals Correlation between structure and mass distribution of the nuclear pore complex and of distinct pore complex components.

1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 883-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Reichelt ◽  
A Holzenburg ◽  
E L Buhle ◽  
M Jarnik ◽  
A Engel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Xenopus Laevis Oocyte ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Freeze Dried

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) prepared from Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclear envelopes were studied in "intact" form (i.e., unexposed to detergent) and after detergent treatment by a combination of conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM) and quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). In correlation-averaged CTEM pictures of negatively stained intact NPCs and of distinct NPC components (i.e., "rings," "spoke" complexes, and "plug-spoke" complexes), several fine structural features arranged with octagonal symmetry about a central axis could reproducibly be identified. STEM micrographs of unstained/freeze-dried intact NPCs as well as of their components yielded comparable but less distinct features. Mass determination by STEM revealed the following molecular masses: intact NPC with plug, 124 +/- 11 MD; intact NPC without plug, 112 +/- 11 MD; heavy ring, 32 +/- 5 MD; light ring, 21 +/- 4 MD; plug-spoke complex, 66 +/- 8 MD; and spoke complex, 52 +/- 3 MD. Based on these combined CTEM and STEM data, a three-dimensional model of the NPC exhibiting eightfold centrosymmetry about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the nuclear envelope but asymmetric along this axis is proposed. This structural polarity of the NPC across the nuclear envelope is in accord with its well-documented functional polarity facilitating mediated nucleocytoplasmic exchange of molecules and particles.

scholarly journals High resolution scanning electron microscopy of the nuclear envelope: demonstration of a new, regular, fibrous lattice attached to the baskets of the nucleoplasmic face of the nuclear pores.

1992 ◽  
Vol 119 (6) ◽  
pp. 1429-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
M W Goldberg ◽  
T D Allen
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Objective Lens ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽  
Triturus Cristatus ◽  
Scanning Electron

The nuclear envelope (NE) of amphibian oocytes can be readily isolated in relatively structurally intact and pure form and has been used extensively for structural studies. Using high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), both surfaces of the NE can be visualized in detail. Here, we demonstrate the use of HRSEM to obtain high resolution information of NE structure, confirming previous data and providing some new information. NEs, manually isolated from Triturus cristatus oocytes, have been mounted on conductive silicon chips, fixed, critical point dried and coated with a thin, continuous film of chromium or tantalum and viewed at relatively high accelerating voltage in a field emission scanning electron microscope with the sample within the objective lens. Both nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic surfaces of the nuclear pore complexes (NPC) have been visualized, revealing the cytoplasmic coaxial ring, associated particles, central plug/transporter and spokes. The nucleoplasmic face is dominated by the previously described basketlike structure attached to the nucleoplasmic coaxial ring. In Triturus, a novel, highly regular flat sheet of fibers, termed the NE lattice (NEL) has been observed attached to the distal ring of the NPC basket. The NEL appears to be distinct from the nuclear lamina. Evidence for the NEL is also presented in thin TEM sections from Triturus oocytes and GVs and in spread NEs from Xenopus. A model is presented for NEL structure and its interaction with the NPCs is discussed.

scholarly journals Nuclear envelope organization in Dictyostelium discoideum

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (8-9-10) ◽  
pp. 509-519 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals A New Model for Nuclear Envelope Breakdown

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 503-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Terasaki ◽  
Paul Campagnola ◽  
Melissa M. Rolls ◽  
Pascal A. Stein ◽  
Jan Ellenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Permeability Barrier ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
New Model ◽  
Nuclear Envelope Breakdown ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Nuclear envelope breakdown was investigated during meiotic maturation of starfish oocytes. Fluorescent 70-kDa dextran entry, as monitored by confocal microscopy, consists of two phases, a slow uniform increase and then a massive wave. From quantitative analysis of the first phase of dextran entry, and from imaging of green fluorescent protein chimeras, we conclude that nuclear pore disassembly begins several minutes before nuclear envelope breakdown. The best fit for the second phase of entry is with a spreading disruption of the membrane permeability barrier determined by three-dimensional computer simulations of diffusion. We propose a new model for the mechanism of nuclear envelope breakdown in which disassembly of the nuclear pores leads to a fenestration of the nuclear envelope double membrane.

scholarly journals Characterization of the elastic properties of the nuclear envelope

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C Rowat ◽  
L.J Foster ◽  
M.M Nielsen ◽  
M Weiss ◽  
J.H Ipsen
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Structural Stability ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Elastic Behaviour ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Intermediate Filament Proteins

Underlying the nuclear envelope (NE) of most eukaryotic cells is the nuclear lamina, a meshwork consisting largely of coiled-coil nuclear intermediate filament proteins that play a critical role in nuclear organization and gene expression, and are vital for the structural stability of the NE/nucleus. By confocal microscopy and micromanipulation of the NE in living cells and isolated nuclei, we show that the NE undergoes deformations without large-scale rupture and maintains structural stability when exposed to mechanical stress. In conjunction with image analysis, we have developed theory for a two-dimensional elastic material to quantify NE elastic behaviour. We show that the NE is elastic and exhibits characteristics of a continuous two-dimensional solid, including connections between lamins and the embedded nuclear pore complexes. Correlating models of NE lateral organization to the experimental findings indicates a heterogeneous lateral distribution of NE components on a mesoscopic scale.

scholarly journals Chromosome length and gene density contribute to micronuclear membrane stability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Mammel ◽  
Heather Z Huang ◽  
Amanda L Gunn ◽  
Emma Choo ◽  
Emily M Hatch
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Chromosome Length ◽  
Gene Density ◽  
Membrane Stability ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Membrane Rupture ◽  
Lamin B1 ◽  
Nuclear Envelope Assembly

Micronuclei are derived from missegregated chromosomes and frequently lose membrane integrity, leading to DNA damage, innate immune activation, and metastatic signaling. Here we demonstrate that two characteristics of the trapped chromosome, length and gene density, are key contributors to micronuclei membrane stability in human cells. Chromosome length is proportional to micronuclei size, and gene density has an additive effect with micronucleus size on membrane stability. We demonstrate that these results are not due to chromosome-specific differences in spindle position or initial nuclear pore complex recruitment during post-mitotic nuclear envelope assembly. We find that chromosome length and micronuclei size strongly correlate with lamin B1 and nuclear pore density in intact micronuclei. Unexpectedly, lamin B1 levels do not predict nuclear lamina organization and membrane stability. Instead, small gene-dense micronuclei have decreased nuclear lamina gaps compared to large micronuclei, despite very low levels of lamin B1. Our data strongly suggest that nuclear envelope composition defects previously correlated with membrane rupture only partly explain membrane stability in micronuclei. We propose that an unknown factor linked to gene density has a separate function that inhibits the appearance of nuclear lamina gaps and delays membrane rupture until late in the cell cycle.

scholarly journals Mitotic checkpoint protein Mad1 is required for early Nup153 recruitment to chromatin and nuclear envelope integrity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikram Mossaid ◽  
Guillaume Chatel ◽  
Valérie Martinelli ◽  
Marcela Vaz ◽  
Birthe Fahrenkrog
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Membrane Curvature ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Structured Illumination ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Checkpoint Protein ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint Protein

AbstractThe nucleoporin Nup153 is a multifunctional protein and the mitotic checkpoint protein Mad1one of its many binding partners. The functional relevance of their interaction has remained elusive. Here, we have further dissected Nup153’s and Mad1’s interface and functional interplay. By in situ proximity ligation assays, we found that the presence of a nuclear envelope (NE) is prerequisite for the Nup153-Mad1 interaction. Time-lapse microscopy revealed that depletion of Mad1 delayed recruitment of Nup153 to anaphase chromatin, which was often accompanied by a prolongation of anaphase. Furthermore, as seen by electron microscopic and three-dimensional structured illumination investigations, Nup153 and Mad1 depletion led to alterations in NE architecture, characterised by a change of the membrane curvature at nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and an expansion of the spacing between the inner and outer nuclear membranes. Nup153 depletion, but not of Mad1, caused defects in interphase NPC assembly with partial displacement of cytoplasmic nucleoporins and a reduction in NPC density. Together our results suggest that Nup153 has separable roles in NE and NPC formation: in post-mitotic NE reformation in concert with Mad1 and in interphase NPC assembly, independent of Mad1.SummaryThe mitotic checkpoint protein is required for Nup153 recruitment to anaphase chromatin and in turn post-mitotic, but not interphase nuclear pore complex assembly.

scholarly journals Chromosome length and gene density contribute to micronuclear membrane stability

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e202101210
Author(s):  
Anna E Mammel ◽  
Heather Z Huang ◽  
Amanda L Gunn ◽  
Emma Choo ◽  
Emily M Hatch
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Chromosome Length ◽  
Gene Density ◽  
Membrane Stability ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Membrane Rupture ◽  
Lamin B1 ◽  
Nuclear Envelope Assembly

Micronuclei are derived from missegregated chromosomes and frequently lose membrane integrity, leading to DNA damage, innate immune activation, and metastatic signaling. Here, we demonstrate that two characteristics of the trapped chromosome, length and gene density, are key contributors to micronuclei membrane stability and determine the timing of micronucleus rupture. We demonstrate that these results are not due to chromosome-specific differences in spindle position or initial protein recruitment during post-mitotic nuclear envelope assembly. Micronucleus size strongly correlates with lamin B1 levels and nuclear pore density in intact micronuclei, but, unexpectedly, lamin B1 levels do not completely predict nuclear lamina organization or membrane stability. Instead, small gene-dense micronuclei have decreased nuclear lamina gaps compared to large micronuclei, despite very low levels of lamin B1. Our data strongly suggest that nuclear envelope composition defects previously correlated with membrane rupture only partly explain membrane stability in micronuclei. We propose that an unknown factor linked to gene density has a separate function that inhibits the appearance of nuclear lamina gaps and delays membrane rupture until late in the cell cycle.

scholarly journals Decreased mechanotransduction prevents nuclear collapse in aCaenorhabditis eleganslaminopathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (49) ◽  
pp. 31301-31308
Author(s):  
Gabriela Huelgas-Morales ◽  
Mark Sanders ◽  
Gemechu Mekonnen ◽  
Tatsuya Tsukamoto ◽  
David Greenstein
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Complex Function ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Premature Aging ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Linc Complex ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Aaa Atpase ◽  
C Elegans

The function of the nucleus depends on the integrity of the nuclear lamina, an intermediate filament network associated with the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex. The LINC complex spans the nuclear envelope and mediates nuclear mechanotransduction, the process by which mechanical signals and forces are transmitted across the nuclear envelope. In turn, the AAA+ ATPase torsinA is thought to regulate force transmission from the cytoskeleton to the nucleus. In humans, mutations affecting nuclear envelope-associated proteins cause laminopathies, including progeria, myopathy, and dystonia, though the extent to which endogenous mechanical stresses contribute to these pathologies is unclear. Here, we use theCaenorhabditis elegansgermline as a model to investigate mechanisms that maintain nuclear integrity as germ cell nuclei progress through meiotic development and migrate for gametogenesis—processes that require LINC complex function. We report that decreasing the function of theC. eleganstorsinA homolog, OOC-5, rescues the sterility and premature aging caused by a null mutation in the single worm lamin homolog. We show that decreasing OOC-5/torsinA activity prevents nuclear collapse in lamin mutants by disrupting the function of the LINC complex. At a mechanistic level, OOC-5/torsinA promotes the assembly or maintenance of the lamin-associated LINC complex and this activity is also important for interphase nuclear pore complex insertion into growing germline nuclei. These results demonstrate that LINC complex-transmitted forces damage nuclei with a compromised nuclear lamina. Thus, the torsinA–LINC complex nexus might comprise a therapeutic target for certain laminopathies by preventing damage from endogenous cellular forces.

Relationships at the nuclear envelope: lamins and nuclear pore complexes in animals and plants

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 829-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindriska Fiserova ◽  
Martin W. Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Nuclear Periphery ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Pore Complexes

The nuclear envelope comprises a distinct compartment at the nuclear periphery that provides a platform for communication between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Signal transfer can proceed by multiple means. Primarily, this is by nucleocytoplasmic trafficking facilitated by NPCs (nuclear pore complexes). Recently, it has been indicated that signals can be transmitted from the cytoskeleton to the intranuclear structures via interlinking transmembrane proteins. In animal cells, the nuclear lamina tightly underlies the inner nuclear membrane and thus represents the protein structure located at the furthest boundary of the nucleus. It enables communication between the nucleus and the cytoplasm via its interactions with chromatin-binding proteins, transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins. Of particular interest is the interaction of the nuclear lamina with NPCs. As both structures fulfil essential roles in close proximity at the nuclear periphery, their interactions have a large impact on cellular processes resulting in affects on tissue differentiation and development. The present review concentrates on the structural and functional lamina–NPC relationship in animal cells and its potential implications to plants.

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