Transport-related structures and processes of the nuclear pore complex studied through molecular dynamics

Structure. 2009 Mar 11;17(3):449-59. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2008.12.021.

Abstract

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are selectively gated pathways between nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. Whereas small molecules can diffuse freely through NPCs, large molecules (>40 kD) can pass only when bound to transport receptors. The NPC central channel is filled with disordered proteins, rich in phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeats, referred to as FG-nups. Our simulations, carried out at coarse-grained and all-atom levels, show that arrays of FG-nups tethered to a planar surface, at an FG-repeat density found in the NPC, form dynamic brush-like structures of multiprotein bundles, whereas individual FG-nups form dynamic globular structures. More than half of the FG-repeats are found on the surface of the bundles, offering a favorable environment for transport receptors. Binding to FG-repeats and a sliding motion of NTF2 induced by binding and unbinding to phenylalanines were observed when adding this transport receptor into one of the brush-like structures.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nuclear Pore / chemistry*
  • Nuclear Pore / metabolism
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / chemistry
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins