Autophagy as a caretaker of nuclear integrity

Abstract

Due to their essential functions, dysregulation of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) is strongly associated with numerous human diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer[1]. On a cellular level, longevity of scaffold nucleoporins in post‐mitotic cells of both C. elegans and mammals renders them vulnerable to age‐related damage, which is associated with an increase in pore leakiness and accumulation of intranuclear aggregates in rat brain cells[2–4]. Thus, understanding the mechanisms which underpin the homeostasis of this complex, as well as other nuclear proteins, is essential. In this review, autophagy‐mediated degradation pathways governing nuclear components in yeast will be discussed, with a particular focus on NPCs. Furthermore, the various nuclear degradation mechanisms identified thus far in diverse eukaryotes will also be highlighted.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Structure and function of the nuclear envelope and nuclear pores

“…Each nuclear pore complex is composed of a total of 500-1000 nucleoporins, the proteins that build NPCs, among which over 30 are present in multiple copies, thanks to the eight-fold symmetry of the structure [1][2][3][4][5]. In this collection, NPC quality control mechanisms are discussed by Penzo and Palancade [6], Boyle and Wilfling [7], and Veldsink et al [8]. These articles focus not only on NPC assembly per se, but Birthe Fahrenkrog is a Senior Research Fellow at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland.…”