Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Single-Molecule Imaging of Nuclear Transport
Published on: June 9, 2010
The transport of integral membrane proteins across the nuclear pore complex
Anne C Meinema1, Bert Poolman, Liesbeth M Veenhoff
1Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Netherlands Proteomics Centre, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The nuclear envelope protects and organizes the genome. The nuclear pore complexes embedded in the nuclear envelope allow selective transport of macromolecules between the cytosol and nucleoplasm, and as such help to control the flow of information from DNA to RNA to proteins. A growing list of integral membrane proteins of the nuclear envelope are described to function in the organization of the genome, as well as the assembly of the NPCs. Here, we discuss how the nuclear pore complex may sort these proteins to obtain a specific protein composition of the inner membrane.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
Transport of mitochondrial precursors across the TIM23 channel is driven by...
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...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Nuclear Localization Signals and Import
Protein Translocation Machinery on 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.
