Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
08:53
Assay to Measure Nucleocytoplasmic Transport in Real Time within Motor Neuron-like NSC-34 Cells
Published on: May 16, 2017
9.3K
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport
George W Mobbs1, Stefan Petrovic1,2, André Hoelz1,3
1Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA;
Annual Review of Biochemistry
|April 9, 2026
Summary
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and transport factors mediate macromolecule transport in eukaryotic cells. This review traces the history of nucleocytoplasmic transport research, highlighting key discoveries and future directions.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Eukaryotic cells feature a nucleus with a nuclear pore complex (NPC) acting as a selective barrier.
- A two-component system involving the NPC and transport factors regulates macromolecule transport.
- Understanding nucleocytoplasmic transport is crucial for cell function and disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical overview of the nucleocytoplasmic transport field.
- To summarize key findings on cargo recognition, transport factor function, and transport mechanisms.
- To identify emerging research areas in nucleocytoplasmic transport.
Main Methods:
- Historical literature review and synthesis.
- Analysis of biochemical and structural studies.
- Examination of functional and mechanistic research.
Main Results:
- The development of the field from initial component identification to current structural and functional insights.
- Elucidation of principles governing cargo recognition and transport factor mechanisms.
- Understanding of unidirectional import and export processes.
Conclusions:
- Nucleocytoplasmic transport is a dynamic field with significant historical contributions.
- Current research focuses on mRNA export, NPC mechanosensitivity, and transport's role in disease.
- Future research directions promise deeper insights into cellular regulation and pathology.
Related Concept Videos
01:34Nuclear Protein Sorting
6.7K
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...
6.7K
01:42Directionality of Nuclear Transport
5.2K
Ras-related nuclear protein or Ran is a small G protein that cycles between its GTP and GDP bound states. Ran specific regulators, a Ran GTPase Activating Protein or RanGAP present in the cytosol and a Ran guanine nucleotide exchange factor or RanGEF present inside the nucleus regulate GTP/GDP exchange. A high concentration of GTP inside the cells, in addition to this asymmetric distribution of Ran-specific regulators, leads to a higher RanGTP concentration inside the nucleus. This...
5.2K
01:45Overview of Protein Sorting and Transport
23.6K
Eukaryotic cells have different membrane-bound organelles with distinct protein requirements. The process by which proteins are targeted to a specific organelle is called protein sorting.
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...
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...
23.6K
01:45Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
3.5K
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...
3.5K
01:46Nuclear Localization Signals and Import
8.4K
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry short stretches of amino acid sequences called the nuclear localization signal or NLS. Classical nuclear localization signals are of two types: monopartite and bipartite NLS. Monopartite classical NLS (cNLS) consists of a single cluster of 4-8 amino acids. Bipartite cNLS consists of two clusters of 2-3 amino acids and a 9-12 residue long proline-rich linker bridging the two clusters. Signal clusters are rich in positively charged amino acids such as...
8.4K
01:42Nuclear Export
5.3K
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...
5.3K