Definition
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are large supramolecular assemblies that perforate the double‐membraned nuclear envelope (NE). Being composed of ∼30 different proteins, termed nucleoporins (Nups), NPCs have an estimated molecular mass of ∼125 MD in vertebrates and ∼60 MD in the yeast S. cerevisiae. NPCs are the exclusive gateways for all traffic between the cell nucleus and the cytoplasm. Traffic through the NPC includes diffusion of ions and small molecules, as well as signal‐dependent, receptor‐mediated transport of proteins, RNAs and ribonucleotide protein (RNP) particles.
Characteristics
Electron microscopy studies, including 3D reconstructions, both in yeast and vertebrates, have led to a consensus model of the overall 3D NPC architecture (1, 2, 3, 4). Accordingly, the vertebrate NPC has a tripartite architecture with the central framework being embedded in the NE and the cytoplasmic filaments and the nuclear basket emanating towards the cytoplasm and the nucleus,...
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References
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© 2005 Springer-Verlag
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Fahrenkrog, B., Aebi, U. (2005). Nuclear Pore Complex. In: Encyclopedic Reference of Genomics and Proteomics in Molecular Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg . https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29623-9_3000
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29623-9_3000
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-44244-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-29623-2
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