Nuclear trafficking in health and disease

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Eukaryotic cells feature a nuclear envelope (NE) separating the nucleus and cytoplasm.
• Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are large channels facilitating molecular transport across the NE.
• Transport through NPCs is selective, with passive diffusion for small molecules and active transport for large ones via receptors and nuclear pore complex proteins (Nups).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the modulation of nuclear transport during physiological and pathological conditions.
• To explore the role of nuclear transport in tumorigenesis, viral infection, and congenital syndromes.
• To discuss chemical biological approaches for understanding nucleocytoplasmic trafficking regulation and drug development.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing research findings on nuclear transport regulation.
• Discussion of signaling pathways, cell cycle, and pathogen interactions affecting nuclear transport machinery.
• Exploration of chemical biological tools for probing nucleocytoplasmic trafficking mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Nuclear transport machinery is regulated by various factors including signaling pathways, cell cycle, and pathogens.
• Dysregulation of nuclear transport is implicated in diseases such as cancer, viral infections, and congenital syndromes.
• Chemical biology offers promising avenues for uncovering novel regulatory mechanisms and identifying drug targets.

Conclusions:

• Nuclear transport is a dynamic process crucial for cellular function and is significantly altered in disease states.
• Understanding the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is vital for comprehending disease pathogenesis.
• Chemical biological approaches provide powerful tools for advancing research in this field and developing therapeutic strategies.