Cell cycle regulated transport controlled by alterations in the nuclear pore complex

Cell. 2003 Dec 26;115(7):813-23. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(03)00986-3.

Abstract

Eukaryotic cells have developed mechanisms for regulating the nuclear transport of macromolecules that control various cellular events including movement through defined stages of the cell cycle. In yeast cells, where the nuclear envelope remains intact throughout the cell cycle, these transport regulatory mechanisms must also function during mitosis. We have uncovered a mechanism for regulating transport that is controlled by M phase specific molecular rearrangements in the nuclear pore complex (NPC). These changes allow a transport inhibitory nucleoporin, Nup53p, to bind the karyopherin Kap121p specifically during mitosis, slowing its movement through the NPC and inducing cargo release. Yeast strains that possess defects in the function of Kap121p or the fidelity of the inhibitory pathway are delayed in mitosis. We propose that fluctuations in Kap121p transport mediated by the NPC contribute to controlling the subcellular distribution of molecules that direct progression through mitosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Feedback, Physiological / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / physiology
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Mitosis / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation / physiology
  • Nuclear Pore / physiology*
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Yeasts

Substances

  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • NUP53 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins
  • PSE1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins