scholarly journals Autonomy and robustness of translocation through the nuclear pore complex: a single-molecule study

2008 ◽  
Vol 183 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Dange ◽  
David Grünwald ◽  
Antje Grünwald ◽  
Reiner Peters ◽  
Ulrich Kubitscheck
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Interaction Sites ◽  
Gfp Fluorescence ◽  
Transport Receptors ◽  
In Vitro Measurements ◽  
Translocation Mechanism ◽  
Interaction Kinetics

All molecular traffic between nucleus and cytoplasm occurs via the nuclear pore complex (NPC) within the nuclear envelope. In this study we analyzed the interactions of the nuclear transport receptors kapα2, kapβ1, kapβ1ΔN44, and kapβ2, and the model transport substrate, BSA-NLS, with NPCs to determine binding sites and kinetics using single-molecule microscopy in living cells. Recombinant transport receptors and BSA-NLS were fluorescently labeled by AlexaFluor 488, and microinjected into the cytoplasm of living HeLa cells expressing POM121-GFP as a nuclear pore marker. After bleaching the dominant GFP fluorescence the interactions of the microinjected molecules could be studied using video microscopy with a time resolution of 5 ms, achieving a colocalization precision of 30 nm. These measurements allowed defining the interaction sites with the NPCs with an unprecedented precision, and the comparison of the interaction kinetics with previous in vitro measurements revealed new insights into the translocation mechanism.

scholarly journals In Vitro Measurements of Single-Molecule Transport Across an Individual Biomimetic Nuclear Pore Complex

2011 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 521a ◽  
Author(s):  
Cees Dekker ◽  
Stefan Kowalczyk ◽  
Larissa Kapinos ◽  
Roderick Y.M. Lim
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
In Vitro Measurements ◽  
Molecule Transport

The Formation, Structure, Distribution and Frequency of Nuclear Pores

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.

scholarly journals Charge influences substrate recognition and self-assembly of hydrophobic FG sequences

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley G. Chen ◽  
Jacob Witten ◽  
Scott C. Grindy ◽  
Niels Holten-Andersen ◽  
Katharina Ribbeck
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Selective Binding ◽  
Charged Amino Acids ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Transport Receptors

AbstractThe nuclear pore complex controls the passage of molecules via hydrophobic phenylalanine-glycine (FG) domains on nucleoporins. Such FG-domains consist of repeating units of FxFG, FG, or GLFG sequences, which can be interspersed with highly charged amino acid sequences. Despite the high density of charge exhibited in certain FG-domains, if and how charge influences FG-domain self-assembly and selective binding of nuclear transport receptors is largely unexplored. Studying how individual charged amino acids contribute to nuclear pore selectivity is challenging with modern in vivo and in vitro techniques due to the complexity of nucleoporin sequences. Here, we present a rationally designed approach to deconstruct essential components of nucleoporins down to 14 amino acid sequences. With these nucleoporin-based peptides, we systematically dissect how charge type and placement of charge influences self-assembly and selective binding of FG-containing gels. Specifically, we find that charge type determines which hydrophobic substrates FG sequences recognize while spatial localization of charge tunes hydrophobic self-assembly and receptor selectivity of FG sequences.

scholarly journals Specific Binding of the Karyopherin Kap121p to a Subunit of the Nuclear Pore Complex Containing Nup53p, Nup59p, and Nup170p

1998 ◽  
Vol 143 (7) ◽  
pp. 1813-1830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Marelli ◽  
John D. Aitchison ◽  
Richard W. Wozniak
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Reporter Protein ◽  
Physiological Relevance

We have identified a specific karyopherin docking complex within the yeast nuclear pore complex (NPC) that contains two novel, structurally related nucleoporins, Nup53p and Nup59p, and the NPC core protein Nup170p. This complex was affinity purified from cells expressing a functional Nup53p–protein A chimera. The localization of Nup53p, Nup59p, and Nup170p within the NPC by immunoelectron microscopy suggests that the Nup53p-containing complex is positioned on both the cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic faces of the NPC core. In association with the isolated complex, we have also identified the nuclear transport factor Kap121p (Pse1p). Using in vitro binding assays, we showed that each of the nucleoporins interacts with one another. However, the association of Kap121p with the complex is mediated by its interaction with Nup53p. Moreover, Kap121p is the only β-type karyopherin that binds Nup53p suggesting that Nup53p acts as a specific Kap121p docking site. Kap121p can be released from Nup53p by the GTP bound form of the small GTPase Ran. The physiological relevance of the interaction between Nup53p and Kap121p was further underscored by the observation that NUP53 mutations alter the subcellular distribution of Kap121p and the Kap121p- mediated import of a ribosomal L25 reporter protein. Interestingly, Nup53p is specifically phosphorylated during mitosis. This phenomenon is correlated with a transient decrease in perinuclear-associated Kap121p.

scholarly journals Monoclonal Antibodies to NTF2 Inhibit Nuclear Protein Import by Preventing Nuclear Translocation of the GTPase Ran

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 703-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne M. Steggerda ◽  
Ben E. Black ◽  
Bryce M. Paschal
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Permeabilized Cells ◽  
Dependent Protein

Nuclear transport factor 2 (NTF2) is a soluble transport protein originally identified by its ability to stimulate nuclear localization signal (NLS)-dependent protein import in digitonin-permeabilized cells. NTF2 has been shown to bind nuclear pore complex proteins and the GDP form of Ran in vitro. Recently, it has been reported that NTF2 can stimulate the accumulation of Ran in digitonin-permeabilized cells. Evidence that NTF2 directly mediates Ran import or that NTF2 is required to maintain the nuclear concentration of Ran in living cells has not been obtained. Here we show that cytoplasmic injection of anti-NTF2 mAbs resulted in a dramatic relocalization of Ran to the cytoplasm. This provides the first evidence that NTF2 regulates the distribution of Ran in vivo. Moreover, anti-NTF2 mAbs inhibited nuclear import of both Ran and NLS-containing protein in vitro, suggesting that NTF2 stimulates NLS-dependent protein import by driving the nuclear accumulation of Ran. We also show that biotinylated NTF2-streptavidin microinjected into the cytoplasm accumulated at the nuclear envelope, indicating that NTF2 can target a binding partner to the nuclear pore complex. Taken together, our data show that NTF2 is an essential regulator of the Ran distribution in living cells and that NTF2-mediated Ran nuclear import is required for NLS-dependent protein import.

Single-molecule transport across an individual biomimetic nuclear pore complex

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 433-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan W. Kowalczyk ◽  
Larisa Kapinos ◽  
Timothy R. Blosser ◽  
Tomás Magalhães ◽  
Pauline van Nies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Molecule Transport

scholarly journals A Role for RanBP1 in the Release of CRM1 from the Nuclear Pore Complex in a Terminal Step of Nuclear Export

1999 ◽  
Vol 145 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph H. Kehlenbach ◽  
Achim Dickmanns ◽  
Angelika Kehlenbach ◽  
Tinglu Guan ◽  
Larry Gerace
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Permeabilized Cells ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Biochemical Fractionation ◽  
Nuclear Export Receptor ◽  
Gtpase Ran

We recently developed an assay in which nuclear export of the shuttling transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) can be reconstituted in permeabilized cells with the GTPase Ran and the nuclear export receptor CRM1. We have now used this assay to identify another export factor. After preincubation of permeabilized cells with a Ran mutant that cannot hydrolyze GTP (RanQ69L), cytosol supports NFAT export, but CRM1 and Ran alone do not. The RanQ69L preincubation leads to accumulation of CRM1 at the cytoplasmic periphery of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) in association with the p62 complex and Can/Nup214. RanGTP-dependent association of CRM1 with these nucleoporins was reconstituted in vitro. By biochemical fractionation and reconstitution, we showed that RanBP1 restores nuclear export after the RanQ69L preincubation. It also stimulates nuclear export in cells that have not been preincubated with RanQ69L. RanBP1 as well as Ran-binding domains of the cytoplasmic nucleoporin RanBP2 promote the release of CRM1 from the NPC. Taken together, our results indicate that RanGTP is important for the targeting of export complexes to the cytoplasmic side of the NPC and that RanBP1 and probably RanBP2 are involved in the dissociation of nuclear export complexes from the NPC in a terminal step of transport.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document