title: Modulation of nuclear pore topology by transport modifiers.
abstract: The nuclear pore complex (NPC) represents the only pathway for macromolecular communication between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of the cell. Nucleocytoplasmic transport requires the interaction of transport receptors with phenylalanine-glycine (FG)-repeats that line the transport pathway through the NPC. Here we examine the effects of transport receptors and amphipathic alcohols on NPC topology using scanning force microscopy. We show that transport receptors that irreversibly bind FG-repeats increase NPC vertical aspect, whereas transport receptors that weakly interact with FG-repeats increase NPC diameter. Interestingly, small polar alcohols likewise increase NPC diameter. These opposing effects agree with the inhibition or enhancement of nuclear transport, respectively, previously ascribed to these agents.
authors.affiliation: Solid State Physics Laboratory, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rainer D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Jäggi
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco-Obregón
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mühlhäusser
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kutay
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ensslin
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects; D000438:Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D022022:Nuclear Pore / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014981:Xenopus; D028961:beta Karyopherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D000596:Amino Acids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D028961:beta Karyopherins