The Role of Nucleoporins in Cardiac Tissue Development and Disease

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are intricate intracellular structures composed of approximately 30 nuclear pore proteins (NUPs) that regulate the transport of materials between the nucleus and cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells. The heart is a crucial organ for sustaining the vital functions of the body, pumping blood rich in nutrients and energy to all organs and tissues. Recent studies have shown that NPCs play pivotal roles not only in normal cardiac physiological processes such as myocardial cell proliferation and differentiation but also in various pathological processes such as ischemic and hypoxic myocardial injury. Due to their mass and complicated nature, the structures of NPCs have been challenging to identify by the scientific community. With the development of cryo-electron microscopy and advanced sampling techniques, researchers have made significant progress in understanding the structures of NPCs. This review aims to summarize the latest research on the structural aspects of NPCs and their roles in cardiac physiology and pathology, increase the understanding of the intricate mechanisms of NPC actions, provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of heart diseases and describe the development of potential novel therapeutic strategies.