scholarly journals Importin β Negatively Regulates Nuclear Membrane Fusion and Nuclear Pore Complex Assembly

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 4387-4396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amnon Harel ◽  
Rene C. Chan ◽  
Aurelie Lachish-Zalait ◽  
Ella Zimmerman ◽  
Michael Elbaum ◽  
...  

Assembly of a eukaryotic nucleus involves three distinct events: membrane recruitment, fusion to form a double nuclear membrane, and nuclear pore complex (NPC) assembly. We report that importin β negatively regulates two of these events, membrane fusion and NPC assembly. When excess importin β is added to a full Xenopus nuclear reconstitution reaction, vesicles are recruited to chromatin but their fusion is blocked. The importin β down-regulation of membrane fusion is Ran-GTP reversible. Indeed, excess RanGTP (RanQ69L) alone stimulates excessive membrane fusion, leading to intranuclear membrane tubules and cytoplasmic annulate lamellae-like structures. We propose that a precise balance of importin β to Ran is required to create a correct double nuclear membrane and simultaneously to repress undesirable fusion events. Interestingly, truncated importin β 45–462 allows membrane fusion but produces nuclei lacking any NPCs. This reveals distinct importin β-regulation of NPC assembly. Excess full-length importin β and β 45–462 act similarly when added to prefused nuclear intermediates, i.e., both block NPC assembly. The importin β NPC block, which maps downstream of GTPγS and BAPTA-sensitive steps in NPC assembly, is reversible by cytosol. Remarkably, it is not reversible by 25 μM RanGTP, a concentration that easily reverses fusion inhibition. This report, using a full reconstitution system and natural chromatin substrates, significantly expands the repertoire of importin β. Its roles now encompass negative regulation of two of the major events of nuclear assembly: membrane fusion and NPC assembly.

1996 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Macaulay ◽  
D J Forbes

A key event in nuclear formation is the assembly of functional nuclear pores. We have used a nuclear reconstitution system derived from Xenopus eggs to examine the process of nuclear pore assembly in vitro. With this system, we have identified three reagents which interfere with nuclear pore assembly, NEM, GTP gamma S, and the Ca++ chelator, BAPTA. These reagents have allowed us to determine that the assembly of a nuclear pore requires the prior assembly of a double nuclear membrane. Inhibition of nuclear vesicle fusion by pretreatment of the membrane vesicle fraction with NEM blocks pore complex assembly. In contrast, NEM treatment of already fused double nuclear membranes does not block pore assembly. This indicates that NEM inhibits a single step in pore assembly--the initial fusion of vesicles required to form a double nuclear membrane. The presence of GTP gamma S blocks pore assembly at two distinct steps, first by preventing fusion between nuclear vesicles, and second by blocking a step in pore assembly that occurs on already fused double nuclear membranes. Interestingly, when the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA is added to a nuclear assembly reaction, it only transiently blocks nuclear vesicle fusion, but completely blocks nuclear pore assembly. This results in the formation of a nucleus surrounded by a double nuclear membrane, but devoid of nuclear pores. To order the positions at which GTP gamma S and BAPTA interfere with pore assembly, a novel anchored nuclear assembly assay was developed. This assay revealed that the BAPTA-sensitive step in pore assembly occurs after the second GTP gamma S-sensitive step. Thus, through use of an in vitro nuclear reconstitution system, it has been possible to biochemically define and order multiple steps in nuclear pore assembly.


Author(s):  
G. G. Maul

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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 395 (5) ◽  
pp. 515-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Vollmer ◽  
Wolfram Antonin

Abstract Nuclear pore complexes mediate the transport between the cell nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. These 125 MDa structures are among the largest assemblies found in eukaryotes, built from proteins organized in distinct subcomplexes that act as building blocks during nuclear pore complex biogenesis. In this review, we focus on one of these subcomplexes, the Nup93 complex in metazoa and its yeast counterpart, the Nic96 complex. We discuss its essential function in nuclear pore complex assembly as a linker between the nuclear membrane and the central part of the pore and its various roles in nuclear transport processes and beyond.


1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaldon Bodoor ◽  
Sarah Shaikh ◽  
Paul Enarson ◽  
Sharmin Chowdhury ◽  
Davide Salina ◽  
...  

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are extremely elaborate structures that mediate the bidirectional movement of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The current view of NPC organization features a massive symmetrical framework that is embedded in the double membranes of the nuclear envelope. It embraces a central channel of as yet ill-defined structure but which may accommodate particles with diameters up to 26 nm provided that they bear specific import/export signals. Attached to both faces of the central framework are peripheral structures, short cytoplasmic filaments, and a nuclear basket assembly, which interact with molecules transiting the NPC. The mechanisms of assembly and the nature of NPC structural intermediates are still poorly understood. However, mutagenesis and expression studies have revealed discrete sequences within certain NPC proteins that are necessary and sufficient for their appropriate targeting. In addition, some details are emerging from observations on cells undergoing mitosis where the nuclear envelope is disassembled and its components, including NPC subunits, are dispersed throughout the mitotic cytoplasm. At the end of mitosis, all of these components are reutilized to form nuclear envelopes in the two daughter cells. To date, it has been possible to define a time course of postmitotic assembly for a group of NPC components (CAN/Nup214, Nup153, POM121, p62 and Tpr) relative to the integral inner nuclear membrane protein LAP2 and the NPC membrane glycoprotein gp210. Nup153, a dynamic component of the nuclear basket, associates with chromatin towards the end of anaphase coincident with, although independent of, the inner nuclear membrane protein, LAP2. Assembly of the remaining proteins follows that of the nuclear membranes and occurs in the sequence POM121, p62, CAN/Nup214 and gp210/Tpr. Since p62 remains as a complex with three other NPC proteins (p58, p54, p45) during mitosis, and CAN/Nup214 maintains a similar interaction with its partner, Nup84, the relative timing of assembly of these additional four proteins may also be inferred. These observations suggest that there is a sequential association of NPC proteins with chromosomes during nuclear envelope reformation and the recruitment of at least eight of these precedes that of gp210. These findings support a model in which it is POM121 rather than gp210 that defines initial membrane-associated NPC assembly intermediates and which may therefore represent an essential component of the central framework of the NPC. Key words: nuclear pore complex, nucleoporin, mitosis, nuclear transport


2021 ◽  
Vol 221 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Banafsheh Golchoubian ◽  
Andreas Brunner ◽  
Helena Bragulat-Teixidor ◽  
Annett Neuner ◽  
Busra A. Akarlar ◽  
...  

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are channels within the nuclear envelope that mediate nucleocytoplasmic transport. NPCs form within the closed nuclear envelope during interphase or assemble concomitantly with nuclear envelope reformation in late stages of mitosis. Both interphase and mitotic NPC biogenesis require coordination of protein complex assembly and membrane deformation. During early stages of mitotic NPC assembly, a seed for new NPCs is established on chromatin, yet the factors connecting the NPC seed to the membrane of the forming nuclear envelope are unknown. Here, we report that the reticulon homology domain protein REEP4 not only localizes to high-curvature membrane of the cytoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum but is also recruited to the inner nuclear membrane by the NPC biogenesis factor ELYS. This ELYS-recruited pool of REEP4 promotes NPC assembly and appears to be particularly important for NPC formation during mitosis. These findings suggest a role for REEP4 in coordinating nuclear envelope reformation with mitotic NPC biogenesis.


1980 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-267
Author(s):  
J.C. Richardson ◽  
A.H. Maddy

Purified nuclei retaining a high degree of ultrastructural integrity were isolated by conventional centrifugation techniques. The cytoplasmic surface of these nuclei was iodinated using lactoperoxidase immobilized onto giant Sepharose beads; thus the outer nuclear membrane and the cytoplasmic surface of nuclear pore complexes were selectively labelled. Pore complexes in association with a fibrous lamina were isolated from these nuclei by removal of the nucleoplasm and extraction with Triton X-100. The chemical composition of the pore-lamina fraction was 93.6% protein, 6% RNA, 0.4% phospholipid. The labelling suggests that major polypeptides N1 (70 000) and N2 (67 000) and more than 10 other more minor polypeptides, ranging from 33 000 to 200 000 mol. wt, as being components of the nuclear pore complex. Polypeptide N3 (58 000) is shown to be present only on the nucleoplasmic face of nuclear envelopes, probably in the fibrous lamina.


1973 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Dales ◽  
Konrad C. Hsu ◽  
Ariaki Nagayama

After treatment of HeLa and L cells with vinblastine sulfate the material of microtubules (tubulin) was reorganized into (a) large paracrystals (PC) of tightly packed tubules; (b) smaller aggregates of tubules with greater diameter whose walls are constituted from well defined, helically arranged morphological subunits; and (c) microtubules associated with helices of polyribosomes of uniform size. All of these structures survived disruption of cellular membranes by means of a nonionic detergent. Following a thorough stripping of membranes there remained a subcellular fraction sedimenting at 1,500 g for 15 min, in which were contained nuclei, centrioles, and the above mentioned microtubular elements, maintained as a complex of organelles by an interconnecting network of 80 Å microfibrils. As a result of membrane disruption it was possible to localize precisely in the electron microscope the binding of ferritin antibody conjugates. Specific labeling at the surface of PC and microtubule aggregates could be demonstrated. This result was substantiated by means of the immunoperoxidase method of labeling the PC. A concentrated deposit of ferritin was also found in the vicinity of centrioles and related structures, the annuli of the nuclear pore complex and the annulate lamellae. However, the specificity of the label on these organelles remains questionable because ferritin, albeit in lower concentration, was also present on them in control preparations reacted with preimmune sera.


2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1373-1377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaj Zuleger ◽  
Nadia Korfali ◽  
Eric C. Schirmer

Work in the nuclear transport field has led to an incredibly detailed description of protein translocation through the central channel of the nuclear pore complex, yet the mechanism by which nuclear envelope transmembrane proteins reach the inner nuclear membrane after synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum is still hotly debated. Three different translocation models have gained experimental support: (i) simple lateral diffusion through the nuclear envelope membrane system; (ii) translocation by vesicle fusion events; and (iii) a variation on classical transport mediated by the nuclear pore complex. Although these models appear to be mutually exclusive, in the present paper we argue that they probably all function for different inner nuclear membrane proteins according to their unique characteristics.


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