A pathway separate from the central channel through the nuclear pore complex for inorganic ions and small macromolecules.
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are supramolecular nanomachines that mediate the exchange of macromolecules and inorganic ions between the nucleus and the cytosol. Although there is no doubt that large cargo is transported through the centrally located channel, the route of ions and small molecules remains debatable. We thus tested the hypothesis that there are two separate pathways by imaging NPCs using atomic force microscopy, NPC electrical conductivity measurements, and macromolecule permeability assays. Our data indicate a spatial separation between the active transport of macromolecules through the central channel and the passive transport of ions and small macromolecules through the pore periphery.
Kramer
Armin
A
Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Robert-Koch Strasse 27b, D-48149 Münster, Germany. kramercom@gmail.com
Ludwig
Yvonne
Y
Shahin
Victor
V
Oberleithner
Hans
H
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002417:Cattle; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005260:Female; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009154:Mutation; D009685:Nuclear Envelope / Q000378:metabolism; D022022:Nuclear Pore / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010957:Plasmids; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000378:metabolism; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000378:metabolism; D028961:beta Karyopherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D007477:Ions; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D028961:beta Karyopherins; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate