Nuclear Periphery Takes Center Stage: The Role of Nuclear Pore Complexes in Cell Identity and Aging

Neuron. 2020 Jun 17;106(6):899-911. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.05.031.

Abstract

In recent years, the nuclear pore complex (NPC) has emerged as a key player in genome regulation and cellular homeostasis. New discoveries have revealed that the NPC has multiple cellular functions besides mediating the molecular exchange between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In this review, we discuss non-transport aspects of the NPC focusing on the NPC-genome interaction, the extreme longevity of the NPC proteins, and NPC dysfunction in age-related diseases. The examples summarized herein demonstrate that the NPC, which first evolved to enable the biochemical communication between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, now doubles as the gatekeeper of cellular identity and aging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Aging, Premature / genetics
  • Aging, Premature / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / genetics
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • CREB-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genome
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease / genetics
  • Huntington Disease / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Nuclear Pore / genetics
  • Nuclear Pore / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins
  • CREB-Binding Protein