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Related Experiment Videos

Nuclear membrane disassembly and rupture.

Laura Cotter1, Terence D Allen, Elena Kiseleva

  • 1Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.

Journal of Molecular Biology
|May 1, 2007
PubMed
Summary
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During mitosis, nuclear envelope membranes disperse via vesiculation, not solely by merging with the endoplasmic reticulum. Nuclear pore complexes disassemble before membrane rupture, indicating an active disassembly process.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The nuclear envelope, a double membrane surrounding the nucleus, is perforated by nuclear pore complexes.
  • Its outer membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum.
  • During mitosis, nuclear pore complexes are dismantled, and the nuclear envelope membranes disperse, but the mechanism remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of nuclear envelope membrane dispersal during mitosis.
  • To clarify whether membranes feed into the endoplasmic reticulum or vesiculate.
  • To determine the role of nuclear pore complex disassembly in membrane removal.

Main Methods:

  • Assembly of nuclei in Xenopus egg extracts.
  • Induction of nuclear breakdown by adding metaphase extract.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) for high-resolution imaging of membrane dynamics.
  • Inhibition studies using microtubule inhibitors and Brefeldin A.
  • Immunolabeling for beta-COP to identify coated vesicles.

    • Main Results:

    • Endoplasmic reticulum-like membrane tubules and vesicles formed from the nuclear surface upon addition of metaphase extract.
    • Microtubule inhibitors only slowed, but did not prevent, membrane removal.
    • Brefeldin A, an inhibitor of vesicle formation, halted membrane disassembly, strongly suggesting vesiculation is essential.
    • Nuclear pore complexes were dismantled and pores closed before membrane rupture.
    • Coated buds, labeled for beta-COP, were observed, indicating involvement of the Golgi apparatus or related pathways.

    Conclusions:

    • Nuclear envelope membrane dispersal during mitosis primarily occurs through vesiculation.
    • Vesiculation, likely involving coat proteins like beta-COP, is a necessary step in membrane disassembly.
    • Nuclear pore complex dismantling and pore closure precede membrane rupture, suggesting active membrane fragmentation rather than passive enlargement.
    • The findings challenge the view that nuclear envelope membranes solely feed into the endoplasmic reticulum during mitotic breakdown.