Into the basket and beyond: the journey of mRNA through the nuclear pore complex

2020 ◽  
Vol 477 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asaf Ashkenazy-Titelman ◽  
Yaron Shav-Tal ◽  
Ralph H. Kehlenbach
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Genetic Information ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Pore Channel ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Imaging Studies ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments ◽  
The Many

The genetic information encoded in nuclear mRNA destined to reach the cytoplasm requires the interaction of the mRNA molecule with the nuclear pore complex (NPC) for the process of mRNA export. Numerous proteins have important roles in the transport of mRNA out of the nucleus. The NPC embedded in the nuclear envelope is the port of exit for mRNA and is composed of ∼30 unique proteins, nucleoporins, forming the distinct structures of the nuclear basket, the pore channel and cytoplasmic filaments. Together, they serve as a rather stationary complex engaged in mRNA export, while a variety of soluble protein factors dynamically assemble on the mRNA and mediate the interactions of the mRNA with the NPC. mRNA export factors are recruited to and dissociate from the mRNA at the site of transcription on the gene, during the journey through the nucleoplasm and at the nuclear pore at the final stages of export. In this review, we present the current knowledge derived from biochemical, molecular, structural and imaging studies, to develop a high-resolution picture of the many events that culminate in the successful passage of the mRNA out of the nucleus.

Structure, assembly and interactions of the nuclear lamina and the nuclear pore complex

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 490-491
Author(s):  
N. Panté ◽  
M. Jarnik ◽  
E. Heitlinger ◽  
U. Aebi
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Nuclear Lamina ◽  
Dynamic Structure ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments ◽  
Radial Spokes ◽  
Nuclear Ring ◽  
Central Plug

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a ∼120 MD supramolecular machine implicated in nucleocytoplasmic transport, that is embedded in the double-membraned nuclear envelope (NE). The basic framework of the ∼120 nm diameter NPC consists of a 32 MD cytoplasmic ring, a 66 MD ‘plug-spoke’ assembly, and a 21 MD nuclear ring. The ‘central plug’ seen in en face views of the NPC reveals a rather variable appearance indicating that it is a dynamic structure. Projecting from the cytoplasmic ring are 8 short, twisted filaments (Fig. 1a), whereas the nuclear ring is topped with a ‘fishtrap’ made of 8 thin filaments that join distally to form a fragile, 30-50 nm distal diameter ring centered above the NPC proper (Fig. 1b). While the cytoplasmic filaments are sensitive to proteases, they as well as the nuclear fishtraps are resistant to RNase treatment. Removal of divalent cations destabilizes the distal rings and thereby opens the fishtraps, addition causes them to reform. Protruding from the tips of the radial spokes into perinuclear space are ‘knobs’ that might represent the large lumenal domain of gp210, a membrane-spanning glycoprotein (Fig. 1c) which, in turn, may play a topogenic role in membrane folding and/or act as a membrane-anchoring site for the NPC. The lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) which is known to recognize the ‘nucleoporins’, a family of glycoproteins having O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine, is found in two locations on the NPC (Fig. 1. d-f): (i) whereas the cytoplasmic filaments appear unlabelled (Fig. 1d&e), WGA-gold labels sites between the central plug and the cytoplasmic ring (Fig. le; i.e., at a radius of 25-35 nm), and (ii) it decorates the distal ring of the nuclear fishtraps (Fig. 1, d&f; arrowheads).

scholarly journals An agent-based model for mRNA export through the nuclear pore complex

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (22) ◽  
pp. 3643-3653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Azimi ◽  
Evgeny Bulat ◽  
Karsten Weis ◽  
Mohammad R. K. Mofrad
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Central Channel ◽  
Agent Based Model ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Transport Dynamics ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Limiting Step ◽  
Rate Limiting

mRNA export from the nucleus is an essential step in the expression of every protein- coding gene in eukaryotes, but many aspects of this process remain poorly understood. The density of export receptors that must bind an mRNA to ensure export, as well as how receptor distribution affects transport dynamics, is not known. It is also unclear whether the rate-limiting step for transport occurs at the nuclear basket, in the central channel, or on the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear pore complex. Using previously published biophysical and biochemical parameters of mRNA export, we implemented a three-dimensional, coarse-grained, agent-based model of mRNA export in the nanosecond regime to gain insight into these issues. On running the model, we observed that mRNA export is sensitive to the number and distribution of transport receptors coating the mRNA and that there is a rate-limiting step in the nuclear basket that is potentially associated with the mRNA reconfiguring itself to thread into the central channel. Of note, our results also suggest that using a single location-monitoring mRNA label may be insufficient to correctly capture the time regime of mRNA threading through the pore and subsequent transport. This has implications for future experimental design to study mRNA transport dynamics.

scholarly journals RanBP2/Nup358 Provides a Major Binding Site for NXF1-p15 Dimers at the Nuclear Pore Complex and Functions in Nuclear mRNA Export

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 1155-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Forler ◽  
Gwénaël Rabut ◽  
Francesca D. Ciccarelli ◽  
Andrea Herold ◽  
Thomas Köcher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments ◽  
Nuclear Levels ◽  
Pore Complexes

ABSTRACT Metazoan NXF1-p15 heterodimers promote the nuclear export of bulk mRNA across nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). In vitro, NXF1-p15 forms a stable complex with the nucleoporin RanBP2/Nup358, a component of the cytoplasmic filaments of the NPC, suggesting a role for this nucleoporin in mRNA export. We show that depletion of RanBP2 from Drosophila cells inhibits proliferation and mRNA export. Concomitantly, the localization of NXF1 at the NPC is strongly reduced and a significant fraction of this normally nuclear protein is detected in the cytoplasm. Under the same conditions, the steady-state subcellular localization of other nuclear or cytoplasmic proteins and CRM1-mediated protein export are not detectably affected, indicating that the release of NXF1 into the cytoplasm and the inhibition of mRNA export are not due to a general defect in NPC function. The specific role of RanBP2 in the recruitment of NXF1 to the NPC is highlighted by the observation that depletion of CAN/Nup214 also inhibits cell proliferation and mRNA export but does not affect NXF1 localization. Our results indicate that RanBP2 provides a major binding site for NXF1 at the cytoplasmic filaments of the NPC, thereby restricting its diffusion in the cytoplasm after NPC translocation. In RanBP2-depleted cells, NXF1 diffuses freely through the cytoplasm. Consequently, the nuclear levels of the protein decrease and export of bulk mRNA is impaired.

scholarly journals The cytoplasmic filaments of the nuclear pore complex are dispensable for selective nuclear protein import

2002 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias C. Walther ◽  
Helen S. Pickersgill ◽  
Volker C. Cordes ◽  
Martin W. Goldberg ◽  
Terry D. Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments ◽  
Localization Sequence ◽  
Importin Α

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) mediates bidirectional macromolecular traffic between the nucleus and cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells. Eight filaments project from the NPC into the cytoplasm and are proposed to function in nuclear import. We investigated the localization and function of two nucleoporins on the cytoplasmic face of the NPC, CAN/Nup214 and RanBP2/Nup358. Consistent with previous data, RanBP2 was localized at the cytoplasmic filaments. In contrast, CAN was localized near the cytoplasmic coaxial ring. Unexpectedly, extensive blocking of RanBP2 with gold-conjugated antibodies failed to inhibit nuclear import. Therefore, RanBP2-deficient NPCs were generated by in vitro nuclear assembly in RanBP2-depleted Xenopus egg extracts. NPCs were formed that lacked cytoplasmic filaments, but that retained CAN. These nuclei efficiently imported nuclear localization sequence (NLS) or M9 substrates. NPCs lacking CAN retained RanBP2 and cytoplasmic filaments, and showed a minor NLS import defect. NPCs deficient in both CAN and RanBP2 displayed no cytoplasmic filaments and had a strikingly immature cytoplasmic appearance. However, they showed only a slight reduction in NLS-mediated import, no change in M9-mediated import, and were normal in growth and DNA replication. We conclude that RanBP2 is the major nucleoporin component of the cytoplasmic filaments of the NPC, and that these filaments do not have an essential role in importin α/β– or transportin-dependent import.

scholarly journals The Great Escape: mRNA Export through the Nuclear Pore Complex

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11767
Author(s):  
Paola De Magistris
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Transport Receptors ◽  
Basic Characteristics

Nuclear export of messenger RNA (mRNA) through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is an indispensable step to ensure protein translation in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. mRNA is not translocated on its own, but it forms ribonuclear particles (mRNPs) in association with proteins that are crucial for its metabolism, some of which; like Mex67/MTR2-NXF1/NXT1; are key players for its translocation to the cytoplasm. In this review, I will summarize our current body of knowledge on the basic characteristics of mRNA export through the NPC. To be granted passage, the mRNP cargo needs to bind transport receptors, which facilitate the nuclear export. During NPC transport, mRNPs undergo compositional and conformational changes. The interactions between mRNP and the central channel of NPC are described; together with the multiple quality control steps that mRNPs undergo at the different rings of the NPC to ensure only proper export of mature transcripts to the cytoplasm. I conclude by mentioning new opportunities that arise from bottom up approaches for a mechanistic understanding of nuclear export.

scholarly journals Specialization of chromatin-bound nuclear pore complexes promotes yeast aging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne C Meinema ◽  
Theo Aspert ◽  
Sung Sik Lee ◽  
Gilles Charvin ◽  
Yves Barral
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽  
Replicative Lifespan ◽  
Yeast Aging ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Pore Complexes

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) mediates nearly all exchanges between nucleus and cytoplasm, and changes composition in many species as the organism ages. However, how these changes arise and whether they contribute themselves to aging is poorly understood. We show that in replicatively aging yeast cells attachment of DNA circles to NPCs drives the displacement of the NPCs’ nuclear basket and cytoplasmic complexes. Remodeling of the NPC resulted from the regulation of basket components by SAGA, rather than from damages. These changes affected NPC interaction with mRNA export factors, without affecting the residence of import factors or engaging the NPC quality control machinery. Mutations preventing NPC remodeling extended the replicative lifespan of the cells. Thus, our data indicate that DNA circles accumulating in the mother cell drive aging at least in part by triggering NPC specialization. We suggest that antagonistic pleiotropic effects of NPC specialization are key drivers of aging.

scholarly journals Imaging within single NPCs reveals NXF1’s role in mRNA export on the cytoplasmic side of the pore

2019 ◽  
Vol 218 (9) ◽  
pp. 2962-2981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakefet Ben-Yishay ◽  
Amir Mor ◽  
Amit Shraga ◽  
Asaf Ashkenazy-Titelman ◽  
Noa Kinor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Superresolution Microscopy ◽  
Directional Flow ◽  
Cytoplasmic Side

Translocation of mRNA through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) requires interactions with different NPC regions. To determine the interactions that are crucial for effective mRNA export in living cells, we examined mRNA export within individual pores by applying various types of mRNA export blocks that stalled mRNPs at different stages of transition. Focusing on the major mRNA export factor NXF1, we found that initial mRNP binding to the NPC did not require NXF1 in the NPC, whereas release into the cytoplasm did. NXF1 localization in the NPC did not require RNA or RNA binding. Superresolution microscopy showed that NXF1 consistently occupied positions on the cytoplasmic side of the NPC. Interactions with specific nucleoporins were pinpointed using FLIM-FRET for measuring protein–protein interactions inside single NPCs, showing that Dbp5 helicase activity of mRNA release is conserved in yeast and humans. Altogether, we find that specific interactions on the cytoplasmic side of the NPC are fundamental for the directional flow of mRNA export.

scholarly journals Sem1 is a functional component of the nuclear pore complex–associated messenger RNA export machinery

2009 ◽  
Vol 184 (6) ◽  
pp. 833-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius Boulos Faza ◽  
Stefan Kemmler ◽  
Sonia Jimeno ◽  
Cristina González-Aguilera ◽  
Andrés Aguilera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Multiple Protein ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Biochemical Analyses

The evolutionarily conserved protein Sem1/Dss1 is a subunit of the regulatory particle (RP) of the proteasome, and, in mammalian cells, binds the tumor suppressor protein BRCA2. Here, we describe a new function for yeast Sem1. We show that sem1 mutants are impaired in messenger RNA (mRNA) export and transcription elongation, and induce strong transcription-associated hyper-recombination phenotypes. Importantly, Sem1, independent of the RP, is functionally linked to the mRNA export pathway. Biochemical analyses revealed that, in addition to the RP, Sem1 coenriches with components of two other multisubunit complexes: the nuclear pore complex (NPC)-associated TREX-2 complex that is required for transcription-coupled mRNA export, and the COP9 signalosome, which is involved in deneddylation. Notably, targeting of Thp1, a TREX-2 component, to the NPC is perturbed in a sem1 mutant. These findings reveal an unexpected nonproteasomal function of Sem1 in mRNA export and in prevention of transcription-associated genome instability. Thus, Sem1 is a versatile protein that might stabilize multiple protein complexes involved in diverse pathways.

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