Nup153 affects entry of messenger and ribosomal ribonucleoproteins into the nuclear basket during export

A specific messenger ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle, Balbiani ring (BR) granules in the dipteran Chironomus tentans, can be visualized during passage through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). We have now examined the transport through the nuclear basket preceding the actual translocation through the NPC. The basket consists of eight fibrils anchored to the NPC core by nucleoprotein Nup153. On nuclear injection of anti-Nup153, the transport of BR granules is blocked. Many granules are retained on top of the nuclear basket, whereas no granules are seen in transit through NPC. Interestingly, the effect of Nup153 seems distant from the antibody-binding site at the base of the basket. We conclude that the entry into the basket is a two-step process: an mRMP first binds to the tip of the basket fibrils and only then is it transferred into the basket by a Nup153-dependent process. It is indicated that ribosomal subunits follow a similar pathway.