Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
12:13
Single-Molecule Imaging of Nuclear Transport
Published on: June 9, 2010
The yeast nuclear pore complex and transport through it.
John D Aitchison1, Michael P Rout
1Institute for Systems Biology and Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA. jaitchison@systemsbiology.org
Genetics
|March 16, 2012
Summary
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) facilitate macromolecule exchange between the nucleus and cytoplasm, regulating gene expression. Yeast studies reveal NPC structure, function, and transport factor interactions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and nuclear transport factors mediate essential macromolecule exchange between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
- This transport is crucial for regulating gene expression and is controlled at multiple levels.
- NPCs also influence nuclear architecture and control nuclear processes, highlighting their regulatory role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the use of yeast Saccharomyces as a model system for understanding nuclear transport.
- To elucidate the conserved structure and function of NPCs.
- To explore the NPC's role in gene expression regulation and its interactions with transport factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism.
- Investigating the structure and function of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs).
- Analyzing the interactions between transport factors, cargoes, regulatory factors, and nucleoporins.
Main Results:
- Detailed understanding of NPC structure and function in yeast.
- Demonstrated the NPC's significant role in regulating gene expression.
- Characterized interactions between transport factors and their binding partners.
Conclusions:
- Yeast provides a powerful model for dissecting fundamental nuclear transport mechanisms.
- NPCs are central regulators of nuclear processes and gene expression.
- Understanding these interactions is key to comprehending cellular regulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:34Nuclear Protein Sorting
Nuclear protein sorting is the selective trafficking of histones, polymerases, gene regulatory proteins into the nucleus and exporting RNAs and ribosomes to the cytosol. It is a tightly controlled process that regulates gene expression within a cell.
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...
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...
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
01:28Protein Translocation Machinery on the ER Membrane
The translocon complex situated on the ER membrane is the main gateway for the protein secretory pathway. It facilitates the transport of nascent peptides into the ER lumen and their insertion into the ER membrane.
Sec61 protein conducting channel
In eukaryotes, the translocon complex comprises a core heterotrimeric translocator channel called the Sec61 complex. This channel includes three transmembrane proteins, Sec61α, Sec61β, and Sec61γ, and is the largest subunit of the translocon complex.
Sec61 protein conducting channel
In eukaryotes, the translocon complex comprises a core heterotrimeric translocator channel called the Sec61 complex. This channel includes three transmembrane proteins, Sec61α, Sec61β, and Sec61γ, and is the largest subunit of the translocon complex.
01:42Nuclear Export
The nucleus restricts several proteins within and allows others to pass. The restricted proteins possess a nuclear retention sequence or NRS, anchoring them to the nuclear lamins and preventing their transport to the cytosol. The non-restricted proteins, after their synthesis, are transported to their site of action, such as the cytosol or other organelles, with the help of nuclear export signals or NES.
NES are of three types- the canonical 10-residue long leucine-rich signal and other...
NES are of three types- the canonical 10-residue long leucine-rich signal and other...
01:45Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...