Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Single-Molecule Imaging of Nuclear Transport
Published on: June 9, 2010
Structural and functional insights into nucleocytoplasmic transport
1Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland. beck@imsb.biol.ethz.ch
Abstract:
The cell nucleus is surrounded by a double membrane system, the nuclear envelope (NE), with the outer nuclear membrane being continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum. Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) fuse the inner and outer nuclear membranes, forming aqueous channels that allow free diffusion of small molecules but that also mediate the energy-dependent transport of large macromolecules. The NPC represents the largest known molecular complex and is composed of about 30 different proteins, termed nucleoporins (Nups). Here, we review recent studies that provide novel insight into the structural and functional organization of nucleocytoplasmic transport. In addition, prospects towards a high resolution model of the nuclear pore are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Directionality of Nuclear Transport
Nuclear Protein Sorting
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry nuclear localization signals or NLS recognized by import receptors in the cytosol. Similarly, proteins with nuclear export signals are recognized by export receptors. Import and export receptors are...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Nuclear Export
NES are of three types- the canonical 10-residue long leucine-rich signal and other...
Overview of Protein Sorting and Transport
Protein sorting can be of two types: signal-based sorting and vesicle-based trafficking. In signal-based sorting, specific amino acid sequences called sorting signals target proteins to the proper location inside the cell either via gated transport or by protein translocation. In gated transport, folded...
Nuclear Localization Signals and Import