The Triple A Syndrome Is Due to Mutations in ALADIN, a Novel Member of the Nuclear Pore Complex

Triple-A Syndrome (TAS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by three cardinal symptoms: alacrimia, achalasia and adrenal insufficiency due to ACTH insensitivity. Various progressive neurological abnormalities and skin changes have been described in association with the syndrome. The disease is caused by mutation in the AAAS gene on chromosome 12q13. Mutations in AAAS were identified in more than 90% of individuals and families with TAS. The protein encoded by AAAS was termed ALADIN and is part of the WD repeat family of proteins, that have been found to be involved in many different functions such as protein-protein interaction, RNA processing, cytoskeleton assembly, control of cell division, signal transduction and apoptosis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that mutated or truncated ALADIN localizes to the cytoplasm rather than to the nuclear pore complex. The exact function of ALADIN and the mechanisms that lead to the ACTH-resistant adrenal phenotype remains largely unknown. Nonetheless, recent studies provided some insights on the role of ALADIN as a member of the Nuclear Pore Complex not only implicated in the import of proteins involved in DNA repair and oxidative stress homeostasis but also in the strengthening of the mitotic spindle assembly. Early identification of the syndrome is challenging, given the rarity of the condition and high phenotypic heterogeneity even among members of the same family. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge of clinical and molecular profile of patients with TAS and recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients.

Download Full-text

The nuclear pore complex protein ALADIN is mislocalized in triple A syndrome

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1031047100 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 100 (10) ◽

pp. 5823-5827 ◽

Cited By ~ 119

Author(s):

J. M. Cronshaw ◽

M. J. Matunis

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Pore Complex ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Triple A Syndrome ◽

Complex Protein

Download Full-text

The Formation, Structure, Distribution and Frequency of Nuclear Pores

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100066644 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 518-519

Author(s):

G. G. Maul

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Pore Complex ◽

Nuclear Membrane ◽

Dynamic Structure ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pores ◽

Filter Function ◽

Etching Technique ◽

Selective Filter ◽

Membranous Part

The chromatin of eukaryotic cells is separated from the cytoplasm by a double membrane. One obvious structural specialization of the nuclear membrane is the presence of pores which have been implicated to facilitate the selective nucleocytoplasmic exchange of a variety of large molecules. Thus, the function of nuclear pores has mainly been regarded to be a passive one. Non-membranous diaphragms, radiating fibers, central rings, and other pore-associated structures were thought to play a role in the selective filter function of the nuclear pore complex. Evidence will be presented that suggests that the nuclear pore is a dynamic structure which is non-randomly distributed and can be formed during interphase, and that a close relationship exists between chromatin and the membranous part of the nuclear pore complex.Octagonality of the nuclear pore complex has been confirmed by a variety of techniques. Using the freeze-etching technique, it was possible to show that the membranous part of the pore complex has an eight-sided outline in human melanoma cells in vitro. Fibers which traverse the pore proper at its corners are continuous and indistinguishable from chromatin at the nucleoplasmic side, as seen in conventionally fixed and sectioned material. Chromatin can be seen in octagonal outline if serial sections are analyzed which are parallel but do not include nuclear membranes (Fig. 1). It is concluded that the shape of the pore rim is due to fibrous material traversing the pore, and may not have any functional significance. In many pores one can recognize a central ring with eight fibers radiating to the corners of the pore rim. Such a structural arrangement is also found to connect eight ribosomes at the nuclear membrane.

Download Full-text

Structure, assembly and interactions of the nuclear lamina and the nuclear pore complex

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010012285x ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 490-491

Author(s):

N. Panté ◽

M. Jarnik ◽

E. Heitlinger ◽

U. Aebi

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Pore Complex ◽

Divalent Cations ◽

Nuclear Lamina ◽

Dynamic Structure ◽

Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Cytoplasmic Filaments ◽

Radial Spokes ◽

Nuclear Ring ◽

Central Plug

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a ∼120 MD supramolecular machine implicated in nucleocytoplasmic transport, that is embedded in the double-membraned nuclear envelope (NE). The basic framework of the ∼120 nm diameter NPC consists of a 32 MD cytoplasmic ring, a 66 MD ‘plug-spoke’ assembly, and a 21 MD nuclear ring. The ‘central plug’ seen in en face views of the NPC reveals a rather variable appearance indicating that it is a dynamic structure. Projecting from the cytoplasmic ring are 8 short, twisted filaments (Fig. 1a), whereas the nuclear ring is topped with a ‘fishtrap’ made of 8 thin filaments that join distally to form a fragile, 30-50 nm distal diameter ring centered above the NPC proper (Fig. 1b). While the cytoplasmic filaments are sensitive to proteases, they as well as the nuclear fishtraps are resistant to RNase treatment. Removal of divalent cations destabilizes the distal rings and thereby opens the fishtraps, addition causes them to reform. Protruding from the tips of the radial spokes into perinuclear space are ‘knobs’ that might represent the large lumenal domain of gp210, a membrane-spanning glycoprotein (Fig. 1c) which, in turn, may play a topogenic role in membrane folding and/or act as a membrane-anchoring site for the NPC. The lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) which is known to recognize the ‘nucleoporins’, a family of glycoproteins having O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine, is found in two locations on the NPC (Fig. 1. d-f): (i) whereas the cytoplasmic filaments appear unlabelled (Fig. 1d&e), WGA-gold labels sites between the central plug and the cytoplasmic ring (Fig. le; i.e., at a radius of 25-35 nm), and (ii) it decorates the distal ring of the nuclear fishtraps (Fig. 1, d&f; arrowheads).

Download Full-text