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Dynamic rearrangement of nucleoporins during fungal "open" mitosis

Ulrike Theisen1, Anne Straube, Gero Steinberg

  • 1Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.

Molecular Biology of the Cell
|January 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear pore complex proteins dynamically reorganize during open mitosis in the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis. These findings reveal conserved principles of nuclear envelope and pore assembly in fungi.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Mycology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Animal mitosis involves nuclear envelope breakdown, unlike most fungi.
  • The corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis exhibits an 'open' mitosis with nuclear envelope removal.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamic behavior of key nucleoporins during open mitosis in Ustilago maydis.
  • To understand the assembly and dynamics of nuclear pore complexes in a fungal model with open mitosis.

Main Methods:

  • Tracking nucleoporins (Nup214, Pom152, Nup133, Nup107) during mitosis.
  • Observing nuclear envelope and nuclear pore complex (NPC) assembly and disassembly.
  • Assessing the role of microtubules and F-actin in NPC formation.

Main Results:

  • Nuclear pore complexes disassembled in prophase; nucleoporins dispersed.
  • Nup107 and Nup133 localized to chromosomes during metaphase and anaphase.
  • Nuclear envelope reformation and NPC assembly occurred, with subsequent protein import.
  • NPC assembly was independent of microtubules or F-actin alone but disrupted if both were absent.

Conclusions:

  • The dynamic behavior of nucleoporins during open mitosis in Ustilago maydis is described.
  • Nuclear pore complex and nuclear envelope assembly principles appear conserved despite open mitosis.
  • Cytoskeletal elements play a role in nuclear envelope and pore complex formation.

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