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Interactions and three-dimensional localization of a group of nuclear pore complex proteins.

We have used antibodies directed against a number of nuclear pore complex (NPC) proteins to determine their mutual interactions and location within the three-dimensional structure of the NPC. A monoclonal antibody, termed QE5, recognized three NPC polypeptides, p250, NUP153, and p62 on Western blots, and labeled the nuclear envelope of several cultured cell lines by immunofluorescence microscopy. These three polypeptides contained O-linked N-acetylglucosamine residues and were released from the NPC by detergent/high-salt treatment as discrete high molecular weight complexes. p250 was found in association with a novel 75 kD protein, NUP153 was released as a homo-oligomer of about 1 megadalton, and p62 was associated with polypeptides of 58 and 54 kD (previously reported by Finlay, D. R., E. Meier, P. Bradley, J. Horecka, and D. J. Forbes. 1991. J. Cell Biol. 114:169-183). p75, p58, and p54 were not galactosylated in vitro. Xenopus oocyte NEs were labeled with gold-conjugated QE5 and prepared for electron microscopy by quick freezing/freeze drying/rotary metal shadowing. This EM preparation method enabled us to more precisely localize the epitopes of this antibody to the cytoplasmic filaments and the nuclear basket of the NPC. Since QE5 recognizes three O-linked NPC glycoproteins, its labeling was compared with that of the lectin wheat germ agglutinin which recognizes O-linked N-acetylglucosamine moieties. The two probes were found to yield similar, although not identical, distributions of label. To identify the individual proteins with particular NPC components, we have used an anti-peptide antibody against NUP153 and a monospecific anti-p250 polyclonal antibody. Labeling with these two antibodies has documented that NUP153 is a constituent of the nuclear basket with at least one of its epitopes residing in its terminal ring, whereas p250 is a constituent of the cytoplasmic filaments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nup155 regulates nuclear envelope and nuclear pore complex formation in nematodes and vertebrates.

Nuclear envelope (NE) formation during cell division in multicellular organisms is a central yet poorly understood biological process. We report that the conserved nucleoporin Nup155 has an essential function in NE formation in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos and in Xenopus laevis egg extracts. In vivo depletion of Nup155 led to failure of nuclear lamina formation and defects in chromosome segregation at anaphase. Nup155 depletion inhibited accumulation of nucleoporins at the nuclear periphery, including those recruited to chromatin early in NE formation. Electron microscopy analysis revealed that Nup155 is also required for the formation of a continuous nuclear membrane in vivo and in vitro. Time-course experiments indicated that Nup155 is recruited to chromatin at the time of NE sealing, suggesting that nuclear pore complex assembly has to progress to a relatively late stage before NE membrane assembly occurs.

Animals↗

A temperature-sensitive NUP116 null mutant forms a nuclear envelope seal over the yeast nuclear pore complex thereby blocking nucleocytoplasmic traffic.

NUP116 encodes a 116-kD yeast nuclear pore complex (NPC) protein that is not essential but its deletion (nup116 delta) slows cell growth at 23 degrees C and is lethal at 37 degrees C (Wente, S. R., M. P. Rout, and G. Blobel. 1992. J. Cell Biol. 119:705-723). Electron microscopic analysis of nup116 delta cells shifted to growth at 37 degrees C revealed striking perturbations of the nuclear envelope: a double membrane seal that was continuous with the inner and outer nuclear membranes had formed over the cytoplasmic face of the NPCs. Electron-dense material was observed accumulating between the cytoplasmic face of these NPCs and the membrane seal, resulting in "herniations" of the nuclear envelope around individual NPCs. In situ hybridization with poly(dT) probes showed the accumulation of polyadenylated RNA in the nuclei of arrested nup116 delta cells, sometimes in the form of punctate patches at the nuclear periphery. This is consistent with the electron microscopically observed accumulation of electron-dense material within the nuclear envelope herniations. We propose that nup116 delta NPCs remain competent for export, but that the formation of the membrane seals over the NPCs blocks nucleocytoplasmic traffic.

Animals↗

The nucleoporin CAN/Nup214 binds to both the cytoplasmic and the nucleoplasmic sides of the nuclear pore complex in overexpressing cells.

CAN/Nup214, an essential component of the vertebrate nuclear pore complex (NPC), is required for proper cell cycle progression and nucleocytoplasmic transport. It is a member of the FG-repeat-containing family of nucleoporins and has been localized to the cytoplasmic face of the NPC. Indirect immunofluorescence studies with specific antibodies have shown that moderate overexpression of human CAN in HeLa cells causes an increase in CAN/Nup214 levels at the nuclear envelope. Here, we demonstrate that in such HeLa cells, CAN/Nup214 does not localize exclusively to the cytoplasmic side of the NPC. Cryosections, stained with CAN-specific antibodies and examined by electron microscopy, showed that about one-third of the gold-labeled NPCs were decorated at the cytoplasmic face and the remaining two-thirds at the nucleoplasmic face. These data indicate that both the cytoplasmic fibrils and the nuclear basket of the vertebrate NPC contain specific binding sites for either CAN/Nup214 or for its interacting proteins, Nup88 and hCRM1. Thus, it is conceivable that CAN/Nup214 functions in nucleocytoplasmic transport at both faces of the NPC.

Cell Polarity↗

Architecture of the Xenopus nuclear pore complex revealed by three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy.

The nuclear pore complex spans the nuclear envelope and functions as a macromolecular transporter in the ATP-dependent process of nucleocytoplasmic transport. In this report, we present three dimensional (3D) structures for both membrane-associated and detergent-extracted Xenopus NPCs, imaged in frozen buffers by cryo-electron microscopy. A comparison of the differing configurations present in the 3D maps suggests that the spokes may possess an intrinsic conformational flexibility. When combined with recent data from a 3D map of negatively stained NPCs (Hinshaw, J. E., B. O. Carragher, and R. A. Milligan. 1992. Cell. 69:1133-1141), these observations suggest a minimal domain model for the spoke-ring complex which may account for the observed plasticity of this assembly. Moreover, lumenal domains in adjacent spokes are interconnected by radial arm dimers, forming a lumenal ring that may be responsible for anchoring the NPC within the nuclear envelope pore. Importantly, the NPC transporter is visualized as a centrally tapered cylinder that spans the entire width of the NPC, in a direction normal to the nuclear envelope. The central positioning, tripartite structure, and hollow nature of the transporter suggests that it may form a macromolecular transport channel, with a globular gating domain at each end. Finally, the packing of the transporter within the spokes creates a set of eight internal channels that may be responsible, in part, for the diffusion of ions and small molecules across the nuclear envelope.

Animals↗

Minimal nuclear pore complexes define FG repeat domains essential for transport.

Translocation through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) requires interactions between receptor-cargo complexes and phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeats in multiple FG domain-containing NPC proteins (FG-Nups). We have systematically deleted the FG domains of 11 Saccharomyces cerevisiae FG-Nups in various combinations. All five asymmetrically localized FG domains deleted together were non-essential. However, specific combinations of symmetrically localized FG domains were essential. Over half the total mass of FG domains could be deleted without loss of viability or the NPC's normal permeability barrier. Significantly, symmetric deletions caused mild reductions in Kap95-Kap60-mediated import rates, but virtually abolished Kap104 import. These results suggest the existence of multiple translocation pathways.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Calcium-mediated structural changes of native nuclear pore complexes monitored by time-lapse atomic force microscopy.

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are large macromolecular assemblies embedded in the double membrane nuclear envelope. They are the major gateways mediating transport of ions, small molecules, proteins, RNAs, and ribonucleoprotein particles in and out of the nucleus in interphase cells. Understanding structural changes at the level of individual pores will be a prerequisite to eventually correlate the molecular architecture of the NPC with its distinct functional states during nucleocytoplasmic transport. Toward this goal, we have employed time-lapse atomic force microscopy of native NPCs kept in buffer, and recorded calcium-mediated structural changes such as the opening (i.e. +Ca2+) and closing (i.e. -Ca2+) of individual nuclear baskets. Most likely, this structural change of the nuclear basket involves its distal ring which may act as an iris-like diaphragm. In order to directly correlate distinct structural features with corresponding functional states and dynamic aspects, we also addressed the question of whether the "central plug" or "transporter" actually represents a calcium-sensitive component of the NPC involved in mediating nucleocytoplasmic transport. Our data indicate that in the absence of ATP, cytoplasmic plugging/unplugging of the NPC is insensitive to calcium.

Animals↗

Modularity within the architecture of the nuclear pore complex.

Transport between nucleus and cytoplasm is exclusively mediated by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) embedded in the nuclear envelope. The NPC is an enormously elaborate protein assembly, reflecting its ability to multitask by simultaneously regulating the trafficking of a diverse spectrum of substrates, ranging from microRNAs to assembled ribosomal subunits. The complexity and sheer size of the NPC have hampered efforts to elucidate its molecular architecture. However, recent studies using a battery of complementary techniques have significantly enhanced our understanding of the NPC structure. The picture of a highly dynamic and modular machine is emerging.

Binding Sites↗

The large C-terminal region of the integral pore membrane protein, POM121, is facing the nuclear pore complex.

POM121 is an integral membrane protein that has been specifically localized to the "pore membrane" domain of the nuclear envelope. Based on its cDNA-deduced primary structure it was suggested that POM121 contains one or two transmembrane segments and that its major C-terminal portion faces the pore side rather than the cisternal side of the pore membrane. We have investigated the membrane topology of POM121 by studying the accessibility of a C-terminal and an N-terminal epitope of POM121 for epitope-specific antibodies. The accessibility of POM121 in unfixed, semi-intact or permeabilized tissue culture cells was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence. We found that the C-terminal epitope was accessible for antibodies in both semi-intact and permeabilized cells, whereas the N-terminal epitope was only accessible in the permeabilized cells. The results show that the large C-terminal region of POM121, containing more than 90% of its total mass, is exposed on the pore side of the nuclear membrane and suggest that the N-terminal portion is most likely localized in the perinuclear space. The data also show that at least part of the C-terminal epitopes are localized on the cytoplasmic side of the nuclear envelope. The topology suggests that the C-terminal portion of POM121, which contains a nucleoporin-like domain, interacts with the nuclear pore complex and thus, may play a role in biogenesis of the nuclear envelope and the nuclear pore complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Oxalate-induced and cell-cycle-dependent expression of nuclear pore complex oxalate binding protein gp210.

The effect of oxalate, a constituent of renal stone, on the expression of nuclear pore complex oxalate binding protein (gp210) in Vero monkey kidney cells was examined. The expression of this protein was found to increase more in mitotic phase than in S phase, suggesting cell cycle dependency. Exposure of cells to oxalate-containing growth medium resulted in a relative increase in nuclear pore complex oxalate binding protein in each stage of cell cycle. The concentration of this protein was found to increase six times in the telophase stage of the cells exposed to high concentrations of oxalate in the growth medium, though slight reduction in cell density was observed. Structural analogues of oxalate did not show any stimulatory effect on expression of this oxalate binding protein. Hence, the expression of the nuclear pore complex oxalate binding protein gp210 was specific to oxalate and is cell cycle dependent.

Animals↗

Mutations in tap uncouple RNA export activity from translocation through the nuclear pore complex.

Interactions between transport receptors and phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeats on nucleoporins drive the translocation of receptor-cargo complexes through nuclear pores. Tap, a transport receptor that mediates nuclear export of cellular mRNAs, contains a UBA-like and NTF2-like folds that can associate directly with FG repeats. In addition, two nuclear export sequences (NESs) within the NTF2-like region can also interact with nucleoporins. The Tap-RNA complex was shown to bind to three nucleoporins, Nup98, p62, and RanBP2, and these interactions were enhanced by Nxt1. Mutations in the Tap-UBA region abolished interactions with all three nucleoporins, whereas the effect of point mutations within the NTF2-like domain of Tap known to disrupt Nxt1 binding or nucleoporin binding were nucleoporin dependent. A mutation in any of these Tap domains was sufficient to reduce RNA export but was not sufficient to disrupt Tap interaction with the NPC in vivo or its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. However, shuttling activity was reduced or abolished by combined mutations within the UBA and either the Nxt1-binding domain or NESs. These data suggest that Tap requires both the UBA- and NTF2-like domains to mediate the export of RNA cargo, but can move through the pores independently of these domains when free of RNA cargo.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Developing chick embryos express a protein which shares homology with the nuclear pore complex protein Nup88 present in human tumors.

Nup88 is a nuclear pore complex protein which is overexpressed in a variety of human tumors of the stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, breast, lung, ovary, uterus, prostate and kidney. A monoclonal antibody crossreacting with the yeast Candida albicans and Nup88 was used to investigate the expression of cross-reactive antigens in chick embryos, in an attempt to identify an experimental model for studying the role played by Nup88 during cell development and differentiation. All cells in the trilaminar embryo were labeled with the antibody, but as development advanced and organogenesis was completed, expression of the corresponding antigen became more restricted. Thus, some structures continued to be intensely labeled (skin epithelium, oropharyngeal endothelium, perichondral mesenchymal tissue), whereas others ( muscular tissue, vascular endothelium, respiratory endothelium, digestive tract mucosa, peripheral nerves, medullary white matter and the retinal axons) were more moderately stained. No immunoreactivity was observed in the medullary grey matter or cartilage. A specific band of 53 kDa observed by Western blotting of chick embryo extracts suggested that the chicken antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody is the homologue of human Nup88, which is associated with the high proliferation and low differentiation of tumor cells. The present results indicate that the role of Nup88 in cell differentiation and organ development could be fruitfully investigated using the developing chick embryo as an experimental model.

Animals↗

Nuclear pore complex ion channels (review).

It is currently thought that nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) primarily govern nucleocytoplasmic interactions via selective recognition and active transport of macromolecules. However, in various nuclear preparations, patch-clamp and fluorescence, luminiscence and ion microscopy support classical microelectrode measurements indicating that monoatomic ion flow across the nuclear envelope (NE) is strictly regulated. Gating of large conductance nuclear envelope ion channels (NICs) somewhat resembles that of gap junctional channels. In other respects, NICs are distinct in that they require cytosolic factors, are blocked by wheat germ agglutinin and are blocked and/or modified by antibodies to epitopes of NPC glycoproteins. Therefore, NIC activity, recorded as electrical current/conductance is likely to be intrinsic to NPCs. This observation suggests a potential use for the patch-clamp technique in establishing the mechanisms underlying nuclear pore gating in response to cytosolic and nucleosolic factors such as transcription and growth factors, oncogene and proto-oncogene products and receptors for retinoids, steroids and thyroid hormone. NIC activity may also be useful in evaluating the mechanisms of nuclear import of foreign nucleic acid material such as that contained in virons and viroids. Finally, in consideration to the electrophysiological data accumulated so far, the study of nuclear pore ion channel activity may help our understanding of other important issues such as cell suicide, programmed cell death or apoptosis.

Animals↗

Nup2p is located on the nuclear side of the nuclear pore complex and coordinates Srp1p/importin-alpha export.

Proteins bearing canonical nuclear localization sequences are imported into the nucleus by the importin/karyopherin-alpha/beta heterodimer. Recycling of the importin-alpha subunit to the cytoplasm requires the action of Cas, a member of the importin-beta superfamily. In the yeast Saccharomyces ceresivisiae, the essential gene CSE1 encodes a Cas homologue that exports the yeast importin-alpha protein Srp1p/Kap60p from the nucleus. In this report, we describe a role for the FXFG nucleoporin Nup2p, and possibly the related Nup1p, in the Cse1p-mediated nuclear export pathway. Yeast cells lacking Nup2p or containing a particular temperature-sensitive mutation in NUP1 accumulate Srp1p in the nucleus. Similarly, Cse1p is displaced from the nuclear rim to the nuclear interior in deltanup2 cells. We do not observe any biochemical interaction between Cse1p and Nup2p. Instead, we find that Nup2p binds directly to Srp1p. We have localized Nup2p to the interior face of the nuclear pore complex, and have shown that its N terminus is sufficient for targeting Nup2p to the pore, as well as for binding to Srp1p. Taken together, these data suggest that Nup2p is an important NPC docking site in the Srp1p export pathway.

Biological Transport↗

Nuclear pore complex in spermatogenesis of Beijing domestic duck. Electron microscope observation of freeze-etching.

The nuclear pore complex in spermatogenesis of Beijing domestic duck has been studied by means of electron microscopic observation of freeze-etching. The structure of the pore observed proves to be in accord with the model of the nuclear pore complex proposed respectively by Franke (1970) and Roberts et al. (1970). But its central granule may be present (1-3 granules) or absent. The granules are considered to be material in transit. The size and frequency of the pore vary with different types of reproductive cells, which is believed to be related to the cells' function. The pores concentrate on the side of nucleus near Golgi zone in primary spermatocyte and near the proacrosome of spermatid, and this shows the functional variety of parts in the nucleus.

Animals↗

In situ analysis of spatial relationships between proteins of the nuclear pore complex.

Macromolecular transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm occurs through the nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). The NPC in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a 60-MDa structure embedded in the nuclear envelope and composed of ~30 proteins, termed nucleoporins or nups. Here we present a large-scale analysis of spatial relationships between nucleoporins using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in living yeast cells. Energy transfer was measured in a panel of strains, each of which coexpresses the enhanced cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins as fusions to distinct nucleoporins. With this approach, we have determined 13 nucleoporin pairs yielding FRET signals. Independent experiments are consistent with the FRET results: Nup120 localization is perturbed in the nic96-1 mutant, as is Nup82 localization in the nup116Delta mutant. To better understand the spatial relationship represented by an in vivo FRET signal, we have investigated the requirements of these signals. We demonstrate that in one case FRET signal is lost upon insertion of a short spacer between the nucleoporin and its enhanced yellow fluorescent protein label. We also show that the Nup120 FRET signals depend on whether the fluorescent moiety is fused to the N- or C-terminus of Nup120. Combined with existing data on NPC structure, the FRET pairs identified in this study allow us to propose a refined molecular model of the NPC. We suggest that the approach may serve as a prototype for the in situ study of other large macromolecular complexes.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Nuclear pore complex oxalate binding protein p62: expression in different kidney disorders.

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis is a multifactorial process that starts with the formation of microcrystals in the urine and terminates as mature renal calculi. The oxalate binding protein plays a vital role in the transport of oxalate. The physiological significance of the presence of oxalate binding protein in the nuclear pore complex is not well understood. METHODS: The nuclear envelope was extracted from human cadaver kidneys. 14C oxalate was labeled, nuclear pore complex proteins were extracted and loaded onto Sephadex G-200, and further purified in DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column. The radioactive protein peak was pooled, concentrated and checked for purity in SDS-PAGE. The purified protein showed cross-reactivity with the monoclonal antibody (MAb 414) and was homogeneous. Urine samples of healthy individuals with no history of kidney disease served as control. Blood and urine samples were collected from kidney and autoimmune disorder patients and checked for the expression of p62 protein by ELISA. RESULTS: Extracted and purified nuclear pore complex oxalate binding protein had a molecular weight of 62 kDa. A threefold increase in oxalate excretion was observed in hyperoxaluric patients compared to control subjects. The protein expression was found to be higher in hyperoxaluric patients vs. controls, chronic renal failure (CRF) and acute renal failure (ARF), whereas decreased expression was observed in nephrotic syndrome (NS) patients. p62 autoantibodies was observed in hyperoxaluria (HO), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), whereas it was absent in controls. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of p62 may be due to membrane damage induced by oxalate stress, and may be used as a diagnostic marker. This study also confirms the presence of p62 autoantibodies in HO patients.

Autoantibodies↗