The molecular architecture of the plant nuclear pore complex

Nuclear pore complex proteins are involved in centromere distribution

The subnuclear distribution of centromeres is cooperatively regulated by condensin II and the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex. However, other nuclear membrane structures and nuclear proteins are probably involved in centromere dynamics and distribution. Here, we focused on the nuclear pore complex (NPC), which is known to regulate gene expression, transcription memory, and chromatin structure in addition to transport between the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. We report here that some nucleoporins (Nups), including Nup85, Nup133, CG1, Nup93b, and NUA, are involved in centromere scattering in Arabidopsis thaliana. In addition, the centromere dynamics after metaphase in nup mutants were found to be similar to that of the condensin II mutant. Furthermore, both biochemical and genetic approaches showed that the Nups interact with the LINC complex. These results suggest that Nups regulate centromere scattering cooperatively with condensin II and the LINC complex.

Nucleoporin 50 proteins affect longevity and salinity stress tolerance in seeds

Nucleoporin 50 (Nup50) is an evolutionarily conserved protein that is a constituent of the nuclear pore complex (NPC); however, its physiological role in plants is unclear. Arabidopsis has two Nup50 proteins, Nup50a and Nup50b, which are highly expressed in developing seeds. Green fluoresceent protein (GFP)-fused Nup50a and Nup50b are localized exclusively in the nucleopolasm, implying an additional function beyond the NPC in the nuclear envelope. To investigate the function of Nup50s, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 [clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9] system to generate a nup50a nup50b double mutant, which exhibited premature translation termination of both Nup50 proteins. While the mutant showed no significant abnormal phenotype during vegetative growth, the nup50a nup50b seeds had an abnormal shape compared with the wild type. Comparative transcriptomics using immature seeds revealed that Nup50s regulate the expression of various genes, including cell wall-related genes. The nup50a nup50b seeds exhibited reduced seed longevity and salinity stress tolerance. Tetrazolium uptake and mucilage release assays implied that the nup50a nup50b seeds had greater water permeability than the wild type. Taken together, our results imply that Nup50s play a critical role in seed formation by regulating gene expression.

NUA positively regulates plant immunity by coordination with ESD4 to deSUMOylate TPR1 in Arabidopsis

Nuclear pore complex (NPC) is composed of multiple nucleoporins (Nups). A plethora of studies have highlighted the significance of NPC in plant immunity. However, the specific roles of individual Nups are poorly understood. NUCLEAR PORE ANCHOR (NUA) is a component of NPC. Loss of NUA leads to an increase in SUMO conjugates and pleiotropic developmental defects in Arabidopsis thaliana. Herein, we revealed that NUA is required for plant defense against multiple pathogens. NUCLEAR PORE ANCHOR associates with the transcriptional corepressor TOPLESS-RELATED1 (TPR1) and contributes to TPR1 deSUMOylation. Significantly, NUA-interacting protein EARLY IN SHORT DAYS 4 (ESD4), a SUMO protease, specifically deSUMOylates TPR1. It has been previously established that the SUMO E3 ligase SAP AND MIZ1 DOMAIN-CONTAINING LIGASE 1 (SIZ1)-mediated SUMOylation of TPR1 represses the immune-related function of TPR1. Consistent with this notion, the hyper-SUMOylated TPR1 in nua-3 leads to upregulated expression of TPR1 target genes and compromised TPR1-mediated disease resistance. Taken together, our work uncovers a mechanism by which NUA positively regulates plant defense responses by coordination with ESD4 to deSUMOylate TPR1. Our findings, together with previous studies, reveal a regulatory module in which SIZ1 and NUA/ESD4 control the homeostasis of TPR1 SUMOylation to maintain proper immune output.

The scaffold nucleoporins SAR1 and SAR3 are essential for proper meiotic progression in Arabidopsis thaliana

Nuclear Pore Complexes (NPCs) are embedded in the nuclear envelope (NE), regulating macromolecule transport and physically interacting with chromatin. The NE undergoes dramatic breakdown and reformation during plant cell division. In addition, this structure has a specific meiotic function, anchoring and positioning telomeres to facilitate the pairing of homologous chromosomes. To elucidate a possible function of the structural components of the NPCs in meiosis, we have characterized several Arabidopsis lines with mutations in genes encoding nucleoporins belonging to the outer ring complex. Plants defective for either SUPPRESSOR OF AUXIN RESISTANCE1 (SAR1, also called NUP160) or SAR3 (NUP96) present condensation abnormalities and SPO11-dependent chromosome fragmentation in a fraction of meiocytes, which is increased in the double mutant sar1 sar3. We also observed these meiotic defects in mutants deficient in the outer ring complex protein HOS1, but not in mutants affected in other components of this complex. Furthermore, our findings may suggest defects in the structure of NPCs in sar1 and a potential link between the meiotic role of this nucleoporin and a component of the RUBylation pathway. These results provide the first insights in plants into the role of nucleoporins in meiotic chromosome behavior.

Regulation of FLC nuclear import by coordinated action of the NUP62-subcomplex and importin β SAD2

Flowering locus C (FLC) is a central transcriptional repressor that controls flowering time. However, how FLC is imported into the nucleus is unknown. Here, we report that Arabidopsis nucleoporins 62 (NUP62), NUP58, and NUP54 composed NUP62-subcomplex modulates FLC nuclear import during floral transition in an importin α-independent manner, via direct interaction. NUP62 recruits FLC to the cytoplasmic filaments and imports it into the nucleus through the NUP62-subcomplex composed central channel. Importin β supersensitive to ABA and drought 2 (SAD2), a carrier protein, is critical for FLC nuclear import and flower transition, which facilitates FLC import into the nucleus mainly through the NUP62-subcomplex. Proteomics, RNA-seq, and cell biological analyses indicate that the NUP62-subcomplex mainly mediates the nuclear import of cargos with unconventional nuclear localization sequences (NLSs), such as FLC. Our findings illustrate the mechanisms of the NUP62-subcomplex and SAD2 on FLC nuclear import process and floral transition, and provide insights into the role of NUP62-subcomplex and SAD2 in protein nucleocytoplasmic transport in plants.

Identification of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and revealed outer-ring component BnHOS1 related to cold tolerance in B. napus

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) consist of ~30 different nucleoporins (Nups), are the unique channels that govern development, hormonal response, and roles in both biotic and abiotic responses, as well as the transport and information exchange of biomacromolecules between nucleoplasms. Here, we report the comprehensive identification of 77 BnNups throughout the zhongshuang11 (ZS11) genome, which were classified into 29 distinct categories based on their evolutionary connections. We compared and contrasted different BnNups by analyzing at their gene structures, protein domains, putative three-dimensional (3D) models and expression patterns. Additional examples of genome-wide duplication events and cross-species synteny are provided to demonstrate the proliferation and evolutionary conservation of BnNups. When BnHOS1 was modified using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the resulting L10 and L28 lines exhibited substantial freezing resistance. This not only demonstrated the negative regulatory impact of BnHOS1 on cold stress, but also offered a promising candidate gene for cold tolerance breeding and augmented the available B. napus material. These findings not only help us learn more about the composition and function of BnNPCs in B. napus, but they also provide light on how NPCs in other eukaryotic organism functions.

Genetic mapping of the Andean anthracnose resistance gene present in the common bean cultivar BRSMG Realce

The rajado seeded Andean bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar BRSMG Realce (striped seed coat) developed by Embrapa expressed a high level of anthracnose resistance, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, in field and greenhouse screenings. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the inheritance of anthracnose resistance in BRSMG Realce, map the resistance locus or major gene cluster previously named as Co-Realce, identify resistance-related positional genes, and analyze potential markers linked to the resistance allele. F₂ plants derived from the cross BRSMG Realce × BRS FC104 (Mesoamerican) and from the cross BRSMG Realce × BRS Notável (Mesoamerican) were inoculated with the C. lindemuthianum races 475 and 81, respectively. The BRSMG Realce × BRS FC104 F₂ population was also genotyped using the DArTseq technology. Crosses between BRSMG Realce and BAT 93 (Mesoamerican) were also conducted and resulting F₂ plants were inoculated with the C. lindemuthianum races 65 and 1609, individually. The results shown that anthracnose resistance in BRSMG Realce is controlled by a single locus with complete dominance. A genetic map including 1,118 SNP markers was built and shown 78% of the markers mapped at a distances less than 5.0 cM, with a total genetic length of 4,473.4 cM. A major locus (Co-Realce) explaining 54.6% of the phenotypic variation of symptoms caused by the race 475 was identified in Pv04, flanked by the markers snp1327 and snp12782 and 4.48 cM apart each other. These SNPs are useful for marker-assisted selection, due to an estimated selection efficiency of 99.2%. The identified resistance allele segregates independently of the resistance allele Co-3³ (Pv04) present in BAT 93. The mapped genomic region with 704,867 bp comprising 63 putative genes, 44 of which were related to the pathogen-host interaction. Based on all these results and evidence, anthracnose resistance in BRSMG Realce should be considered as monogenic, useful for breeding purpose. It is proposed that locus Co-Realce is unique and be provisionally designated as CoPv04^R until be officially nominated in accordance with the rules established by the Bean Improvement Cooperative Genetics Committee.

NUCLEAR PORE ANCHOR and EARLY IN SHORT DAYS 4 negatively regulate abscisic acid signaling by inhibiting Snf1-related protein kinase2 activity and stability in Arabidopsis

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key regulator of plant responses to abiotic stresses, such as drought. Abscisic acid receptors and coreceptors perceive ABA to activate Snf1-related protein kinase2s (SnRK2s) that phosphorylate downstream effectors, thereby activating ABA signaling and the stress response. As stress responses come with fitness penalties for plants, it is crucial to tightly control SnRK2 kinase activity to restrict ABA signaling. However, how SnRK2 kinases are inactivated remains elusive. Here, we show that NUCLEAR PORE ANCHOR (NUA), a nuclear pore complex (NPC) component, negatively regulates ABA-mediated inhibition of seed germination and post-germination growth, and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. The role of NUA in response to ABA depends on SnRK2.2 and SnRK2.3 for seed germination and on SnRK2.6 for drought. NUA does not directly inhibit the phosphorylation of these SnRK2s or affects their abundance. However, the NUA-interacting protein EARLY IN SHORT DAYS 4 (ESD4), a SUMO protease, negatively regulates ABA signaling by directly interacting with and inhibiting SnRK2 phosphorylation and protein levels. More importantly, we demonstrated that SnRK2.6 can be SUMOylated in vitro, and ESD4 inhibits its SUMOylation. Taken together, we identified NUA and ESD4 as SnRK2 kinase inhibitors that block SnRK2 activity, and reveal a mechanism whereby NUA and ESD4 negatively regulate plant responses to ABA and drought stress possibly through SUMOylation-dependent regulation of SnRK2s.

NLR we there yet? Nucleocytoplasmic coordination of NLR-mediated immunity

Plant intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat immune receptors (NLRs) perceive the activity of pathogen-secreted effector molecules that, when undetected, promote colonisation of hosts. Signalling from activated NLRs converges with and potentiates downstream responses from activated pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that sense microbial signatures at the cell surface. Efficient signalling of both receptor branches relies on the host cell nucleus as an integration point for transcriptional reprogramming, and on the macromolecular transport processes that mediate the communication between cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Studies on nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), the nucleoporin proteins (NUPs) that compose NPCs, and nuclear transport machinery constituents that control nucleocytoplasmic transport, have revealed that they play important roles in regulating plant immune responses. Here, we discuss the contributions of nucleoporins and nuclear transport receptor (NTR)-mediated signal transduction in plant immunity with an emphasis on NLR immune signalling across the nuclear compartment boundary and within the nucleus. We also highlight and discuss cytoplasmic and nuclear functions of NLRs and their signalling partners and further consider the potential implications of NLR activation and resistosome formation in both cellular compartments for mediating plant pathogen resistance and programmed host cell death.

Function of Nuclear Pore Complexes in Regulation of Plant Defense Signaling

In eukaryotes, the nucleus is the regulatory center of cytogenetics and metabolism, and it is critical for fundamental biological processes, including DNA replication and transcription, protein synthesis, and biological macromolecule transportation. The eukaryotic nucleus is surrounded by a lipid bilayer called the nuclear envelope (NE), which creates a microenvironment for sophisticated cellular processes. The NE is perforated by the nuclear pore complex (NPC), which is the channel for biological macromolecule bi-directional transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm. It is well known that NPC is the spatial designer of the genome and the manager of genomic function. Moreover, the NPC is considered to be a platform for the continual adaptation and evolution of eukaryotes. So far, a number of nucleoporins required for plant-defense processes have been identified. Here, we first provide an overview of NPC organization in plants, and then discuss recent findings in the plant NPC to elaborate on and dissect the distinct defensive functions of different NPC subcomponents in plant immune defense, growth and development, hormone signaling, and temperature response. Nucleoporins located in different components of NPC have their unique functions, and the link between the NPC and nucleocytoplasmic trafficking promotes crosstalk of different defense signals in plants. It is necessary to explore appropriate components of the NPC as potential targets for the breeding of high-quality and broad spectrum resistance crop varieties.

Nuclear Exportin 1 (XPO1) Binds to the Nuclear Localization/Export Signal of the Turnip Mosaic Virus NIb to Promote Viral Infection

The nuclear localization signal (NLS) and nuclear export signal (NES) are key signatures of proteins for controlling nuclear import and export. The NIb protein of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) that is absolutely required for viral genome replication. Previous studies have shown that NIb is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein and contains four putative NES and four putative NLS motifs. Here, we analyzed the function of these NESs and NLSs, and identified two functional NESs and one functional NLS. Mutation of the identified functional NESs or NLS inhibited viral RNA accumulation and systemic infection. Exportin 1 (XPO1) is a nuclear export receptor that binds directly to cargo proteins harboring a leucine-rich NES and translocates them to the cytoplasm. We found that XPO1 contains two NIb-binding domains, which recognize the NLS and NES of NIb, respectively, to mediate the nucleocytoplasmic transport of NIb and promote viral infection. Taken together, these data suggest that the nucleocytoplasmic transport of NIb is modulated by XPO1 through its interactions with the functional NLS and NES of NIb to promote viral infection.

Validation of Nuclear Pore Complex Protein-Protein Interactions by Transient Expression in Plants

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is the largest protein complex, consisting of multiple copies of over 30 different nucleoporins. The interactions between the nucleoporins are critical elements for the NPC functions of the nuclear envelope in plant cells. In recent years, transient expression-based validations of protein-protein interactions have been widely used in plants. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay and coimmunoprecipitation assays are powerful tools to identify the molecules that interact with specific proteins. Here, as an example, we describe these techniques using nucleoporin protein interactions in plants.

Regulation of Plant Immunity by Nuclear Membrane-Associated Mechanisms

Unlike animals, plants do not have specialized immune cells and lack an adaptive immune system. Instead, plant cells rely on their unique innate immune system to defend against pathogens and coordinate beneficial interactions with commensal and symbiotic microbes. One of the major convergent points for plant immune signaling is the nucleus, where transcriptome reprogramming is initiated to orchestrate defense responses. Mechanisms that regulate selective transport of nuclear signaling cargo and chromatin activity at the nuclear boundary play a pivotal role in immune activation. This review summarizes the current knowledge of how nuclear membrane-associated core protein and protein complexes, including the nuclear pore complex, nuclear transport receptors, and the nucleoskeleton participate in plant innate immune activation and pathogen resistance. We also discuss the role of their functional counterparts in regulating innate immunity in animals and highlight potential common mechanisms that contribute to nuclear membrane-centered immune regulation in higher eukaryotes.

Recent Progress in the Correlative Structured Illumination Microscopy

The super-resolution imaging technique of structured illumination microscopy (SIM) enables the mixing of high-frequency information into the optical transmission domain via light-source modulation, thus breaking the optical diffraction limit. Correlative SIM, which combines other techniques with SIM, offers more versatility or higher imaging resolution than traditional SIM. In this review, we first briefly introduce the imaging mechanism and development trends of conventional SIM. Then, the principles and recent developments of correlative SIM techniques are reviewed. Finally, the future development directions of SIM and its correlative microscopies are presented.

LC-MS Based Draft Map of the Arabidopsis thaliana Nuclear Proteome and Protein Import in Pattern Triggered Immunity

Despite its central role as the ark of genetic information and gene expression the plant nucleus is surprisingly understudied. We isolated nuclei from the Arabidopsis thaliana dark grown cell culture left untreated and treated with flg22 and nlp20, two elicitors of pattern triggered immunity (PTI) in plants, respectively. An liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based discovery proteomics approach was used to measure the nuclear proteome fractions. An enrichment score based on the relative abundance of cytoplasmic, mitochondrial and Golgi markers in the nuclear protein fraction allowed us to curate the nuclear proteome producing high quality catalogs of around 3,000 nuclear proteins under untreated and both PTI conditions. The measurements also covered low abundant proteins including more than 100 transcription factors and transcriptional co-activators. We disclose a list of several hundred potentially dual targeted proteins including proteins not yet found before for further study. Protein import into the nucleus in plant immunity is known. Here we sought to gain a broader impression of this phenomenon employing our proteomics data and found 157 and 73 proteins to possibly be imported into the nucleus upon stimulus with flg22 and nlp20, respectively. Furthermore, the abundance of 93 proteins changed significantly in the nucleus following elicitation of immunity. These results suggest promiscuous ribosome assembly and a role of prohibitins and cytochrome C in the nucleus in PTI.

The Dictyostelium Centrosome

The centrosome of Dictyostelium amoebae contains no centrioles and consists of a cylindrical layered core structure surrounded by a corona harboring microtubule-nucleating γ-tubulin complexes. It is the major centrosomal model beyond animals and yeasts. Proteomics, protein interaction studies by BioID and superresolution microscopy methods led to considerable progress in our understanding of the composition, structure and function of this centrosome type. We discuss all currently known components of the Dictyostelium centrosome in comparison to other centrosomes of animals and yeasts.

Mutation of the nuclear pore complex component, aladin1, disrupts asymmetric cell division in Zea mays (maize)

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) regulates the movement of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Dysfunction of many components of the NPC results in human genetic diseases, including triple A syndrome (AAAS) as a result of mutations in ALADIN. Here, we report a nonsense mutation in the maize ortholog, aladin1 (ali1-1), at the orthologous amino acid residue of an AAAS allele from humans, alters plant stature, tassel architecture, and asymmetric divisions of subsidiary mother cells (SMCs). Crosses with the stronger nonsense allele ali1-2 identified complex allele interactions for plant height and aberrant SMC division. RNA-seq analysis of the ali1-1 mutant identified compensatory transcript accumulation for other NPC components as well as gene expression consequences consistent with conservation of ALADIN1 functions between humans and maize. These findings demonstrate that ALADIN1 is necessary for normal plant development, shoot architecture, and asymmetric cell division in maize.

Exportin-4 coordinates nuclear shuttling of TOPLESS family transcription corepressors to regulate plant immunity

The regulated nucleocytoplasmic exchange of macromolecules is essential for the eukaryotic cell. However, nuclear transport pathways defined by different nuclear transport receptors (NTRs), including importins and exportins, and their significance in activating distinct stress responses are poorly understood in plants. Here, we exploited a CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic screen to search for modifiers of CONSTITUTIVE EXPRESSION OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENE 5 (cpr5), an Arabidopsis thaliana nucleoporin mutant that activates autoimmune responses that partially mimic effector-triggered immunity (ETI). We identified an NTR gene, Exportin-4 (XPO4), as a genetic interactor of CPR5. The xpo4 cpr5 double mutant activates catastrophic immune responses, which leads to seedling lethality. By leveraging the newly developed proximity-labeling proteomics, we profiled XPO4 substrates and identified TOPLESS (TPL) and TPL-related (TPR) transcription corepressors as XPO4-specific cargo. TPL/TPRs target negative regulators of immunity and are redundantly required for ETI induction. We found that loss-of-XPO4 promotes the nuclear accumulation of TPL/TPRs in the presence of elevated salicylic acid (SA), which contributes to the SA-mediated defense amplification and potentiates immune induction in the cpr5 mutant. We showed that TPL and TPRs are required for the enhanced immune activation observed in xpo4 cpr5 but not for the cpr5 single-mutant phenotype, underscoring the functional interplay between XPO4 and TPL/TPRs and its importance in cpr5-dependent immune induction. We propose that XPO4 coordinates the nuclear accumulation of TPL/TPRs, which plays a role in regulating SA-mediated defense feedback to modulate immune strength downstream of CPR5 during ETI induction.

Functional requirement of the Arabidopsis importin-α nuclear transport receptor family in autoimmunity mediated by the NLR protein SNC1

IMPORTIN-α3/MOS6 (MODIFIER OF SNC1, 6) is one of nine importin-α isoforms in Arabidopsis that recruit nuclear localization signal-containing cargo proteins to the nuclear import machinery. IMP-α3/MOS6 is required genetically for full autoimmunity of the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat immune receptor mutant snc1 (suppressor of npr1-1, constitutive 1) and MOS6 also contributes to basal disease resistance. Here, we investigated the contribution of the other importin-α genes to both types of immune responses, and we analyzed potential interactions of all importin-α isoforms with SNC1. By using reverse-genetic analyses in Arabidopsis and protein-protein interaction assays in Nicotiana benthamiana, we provide evidence that among the nine α-importins in Arabidopsis, IMP-α3/MOS6 is the main nuclear transport receptor of SNC1, and that IMP-α3/MOS6 is required selectively for autoimmunity of snc1 and basal resistance to mildly virulent Pseudomonas syringae in Arabidopsis.

Regulation and Physiological Significance of the Nuclear Shape in Plants

The shape of plant nuclei varies among different species, tissues, and cell types. In Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, nuclei in meristems and guard cells are nearly spherical, whereas those of epidermal cells in differentiated tissues are elongated spindle-shaped. The vegetative nuclei in pollen grains are irregularly shaped in angiosperms. In the past few decades, it has been revealed that several nuclear envelope (NE) proteins play the main role in the regulation of the nuclear shape in plants. Some plant NE proteins that regulate nuclear shape are also involved in nuclear or cellular functions, such as nuclear migration, maintenance of chromatin structure, gene expression, calcium and reactive oxygen species signaling, plant growth, reproduction, and plant immunity. The shape of the nucleus has been assessed both by labeling internal components (for instance chromatin) and by labeling membranes, including the NE or endoplasmic reticulum in interphase cells and viral-infected cells of plants. Changes in NE are correlated with the formation of invaginations of the NE, collectively called the nucleoplasmic reticulum. In this review, what is known and what is unknown about nuclear shape determination are presented, and the physiological significance of the control of the nuclear shape in plants is discussed.

Nucleocytoplasmic Communication in Healthy and Diseased Plant Tissues

The double membrane of the nuclear envelope (NE) constitutes a selective compartment barrier that separates nuclear from cytoplasmic processes. Plant viability and responses to a changing environment depend on the spatial communication between both compartments. This communication is based on the bidirectional exchange of proteins and RNAs and is regulated by a sophisticated transport machinery. Macromolecular traffic across the NE depends on nuclear transport receptors (NTRs) that mediate nuclear import (i.e. importins) or export (i.e. exportins), as well as on nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) that are composed of nucleoporin proteins (NUPs) and span the NE. In this review, we provide an overview of plant NPC- and NTR-directed cargo transport and we consider transport independent functions of NPCs and NE-associated proteins in regulating plant developmental processes and responses to environmental stresses.

Nuclear pore complex-mediated gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are large multi-protein complexes that control bidirectional trafficking of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. This trafficking is highly regulated and participates in a considerably broader range of cellular activities, including defense responses against pathogens in plants. Recently, NPC is emerging as a platform to physically associate the underlying chromatin with the nuclear periphery, thus regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. For instance, NPC components have been shown to promote the formation of specific genomics loops, which is linked to transcriptional memory for rapid reactivation of genes. With newly developed techniques and tools, our insight in this area has been substantially advanced. This review summarizes recent works on the molecular function of NPC machinery as hubs for transcriptional regulation and compares systems between plant and non-plant organisms.

Bacterial Infection Disrupts Clock Gene Expression to Attenuate Immune Responses

The circadian clock modulates immune responses in plants and animals; however, it is unclear how host-pathogen interactions affect the clock. Here we analyzed clock function in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with defective immune responses and found that enhanced disease susceptibility 4 (eds4) displays alterations in several circadian rhythms. Mapping by sequencing revealed that EDS4 encodes the ortholog of NUCLEOPORIN 205, a core component of the inner ring of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Consistent with the idea that the NPC specifically modulates clock function, we found a strong enrichment in core clock genes, as well as an increased nuclear to total mRNA accumulation, among genes that were differentially expressed in eds4 mutants. Interestingly, infection with Pseudomonas syringae in wild-type (WT) plants downregulated the expression of several morning core clock genes as early as 1 h post-infection, including all members of the NIGHT LIGHT-INDUCIBLE AND CLOCK-REGULATED (LNK) gene family, and this effect was attenuated in eds4. Furthermore, lnk mutants were more susceptible than the WT to P. syringae infection. These results indicate that bacterial infection, acting in part through the NPC, alters core clock gene expression and/or mRNA accumulation in a way that favors bacterial growth and disease susceptibility.

Proximity labeling of protein complexes and cell-type-specific organellar proteomes in Arabidopsis enabled by TurboID

Defining specific protein interactions and spatially or temporally restricted local proteomes improves our understanding of all cellular processes, but obtaining such data is challenging, especially for rare proteins, cell types, or events. Proximity labeling enables discovery of protein neighborhoods defining functional complexes and/or organellar protein compositions. Recent technological improvements, namely two highly active biotin ligase variants (TurboID and miniTurbo), allowed us to address two challenging questions in plants: (1) what are in vivo partners of a low abundant key developmental transcription factor and (2) what is the nuclear proteome of a rare cell type? Proteins identified with FAMA-TurboID include known interactors of this stomatal transcription factor and novel proteins that could facilitate its activator and repressor functions. Directing TurboID to stomatal nuclei enabled purification of cell type- and subcellular compartment-specific proteins. Broad tests of TurboID and miniTurbo in Arabidopsis and Nicotiana benthamiana and versatile vectors enable customization by plant researchers.

Multifunctional REDV-G-TAT-G-NLS-Cys peptide sequence conjugated gene carriers to enhance gene transfection efficiency in endothelial cells

Rapid endothelialization on small diameter artificial blood vessels is an effective strategy to facilitate long-term patency and inhibit thrombosis. The gene delivery can enhance the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells (ECs), which is beneficial for rapid endothelialization. REDV-G-TAT-G-NLS-Cys (abbreviated as TP-G) peptide could weakly condense pEGFP-ZNF580 (pZNF580) and transfect ECs, but its transfection efficiency was still very low because of its low positive charge, low stability and weak endosome escape ability. In order to develop more stable and efficient gene carriers with low cytotoxicity, in the present study, we conjugated different amounts of TP-G peptide onto poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-g-polyethylenimine (PLGA-g-PEI) amphiphilic copolymers via a hetero-poly(ethylene glycol) spacer (OPSS-PEG-NHS). The TP-G peptide and PEI could cooperatively and strongly condense pZNF580. The carrier's cytotoxicity was reduced by the introduction of poly(ethylene glycol) spacer. They condensed pZNF580 to form gene complexes (PPP-TP-G/pZNF580) with suitable size and positive zeta potential for gene delivery. The transfected ECs promoted their migration ability as demonstrated by cell migration assay. The results of cellular uptake and confocal laser scanning microscopy showed significantly high internalization efficiency, endosomal/lysosomal escape and nucleus location of pZNF580 by this multifunctional TP-G peptide sequence conjugated gene delivery system. Furthermore, several inhibitors were used to study the cellular uptake pathways of PPP-TP-G/pZNF580 complexes. The results showed that PPP-TP-G2/Cy5-oligonucleotide complexes exhibited the optimized endocytosis pathways which facilitated for cellular uptake. In conclusion, the multifunctional TP-G peptide conjugated gene carriers could promote the transfection efficiency due to the multifunction of REDV, cell-penetrating peptide and nuclear localization signal in the peptide sequence, which could be a suitable gene carrier for endothelialization.

Entropic Trapping of DNA with a Nanofiltered Nanopore

Elucidating the kinetics of DNA passage through a solid-state nanopore is a fertile field of research, and mechanisms for controlling capture, passage, and trapping of biopolymers are likely to find numerous technological applications. Here we present a nanofiltered nanopore device, which forms an entropic cage for DNA following first passage through the nanopore, trapping the translocated DNA and permitting recapture for subsequent reanalysis and investigation of kinetics of passage under confinement. We characterize the trapping properties of this nanodevice by driving individual DNA polymers into the nanoscale gap separating the nanofilter and the pore, forming an entropic cage similar to a "two pores in series" device, leaving polymers to diffuse in the cage for various time lengths, and attempting to recapture the same molecule. We show that the cage results in effectively permanent trapping when the radius of gyration of the target polymer is significantly larger than the radii of the pores in the nanofilter. We also compare translocation dynamics as a function of translocation direction in order to study the effects of confinement on DNA just prior to translocation, providing further insight into the nanopore translocation process. This nanofiltered nanopore device realizes simple fabrication of a femtoliter nanoreactor in which to study fundamental biophysics and biomolecular reactions on the single-molecule level. The device provides an electrically-permeable single-molecule trap with a higher entropic barrier to escape than previous attempts to fabricate similar structures.

Nuclear Signaling of Plant MAPKs

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved protein kinases in eukaryotes that establish signaling modules where MAPK kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) activate MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) which in turn activate MAPKs. In plants, they are involved in the signaling of multiple environmental stresses and developmental programs. MAPKs phosphorylate their substrates and this post-translational modification (PTM) contributes to the regulation of proteins. PTMs may indeed modify the activity, subcellular localization, stability or trans-interactions of modified proteins. Plant MAPKs usually localize to the cytosol and/or nucleus, and in some instances they may also translocate from the cytosol to the nucleus. Upon the detection of environmental changes at the cell surface, MAPKs participate in the signal transduction to the nucleus, allowing an adequate transcriptional reprogramming. The identification of plant MAPK substrates largely contributed to a better understanding of the underlying signaling mechanisms. In this review, we highlight the nuclear signaling of plant MAPKs. We discuss the activation, regulation and activity of plant MAPKs, as well as their nuclear re-localization. We also describe and discuss known nuclear substrates of plant MAPKs in the context of biotic stress, abiotic stress and development and consider future research directions in the field of plant MAPKs.

The truncated NLR protein TIR-NBS13 is a MOS6/IMPORTIN-α3 interaction partner required for plant immunity

Importin-α proteins mediate the translocation of nuclear localization signal (NLS)-containing proteins from the cytoplasm into the nucleus through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). Genetically, Arabidopsis IMPORTIN-α3/MOS6 (MODIFIER OF SNC1, 6) is required for basal plant immunity and constitutive disease resistance activated in autoimmune mutant snc1 (suppressor of npr1-1, constitutive 1), suggesting that MOS6 plays a role in the nuclear import of proteins involved in plant defense signaling. Here, we sought to identify and characterize defense-regulatory cargo proteins and interaction partners of MOS6. We conducted both in silico database analyses and affinity purification of functional epitope-tagged MOS6 from pathogen-challenged stable transgenic plants coupled with mass spectrometry. We show that among the 13 candidate MOS6 interactors we selected for further functional characterization, the TIR-NBS-type protein TN13 is required for resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 lacking the type-III effector proteins AvrPto and AvrPtoB. When expressed transiently in N. benthamiana leaves, TN13 co-immunoprecipitates with MOS6, but not with its closest homolog IMPORTIN-α6, and localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), consistent with a predicted N-terminal transmembrane domain in TN13. Our work uncovered the truncated NLR protein TN13 as a component of plant innate immunity that selectively binds to MOS6/IMPORTIN-α3 in planta. We speculate that the release of TN13 from the ER membrane in response to pathogen stimulus, and its subsequent nuclear translocation, is important for plant defense signal transduction.

A coarse-grained computational model of the nuclear pore complex predicts Phe-Gly nucleoporin dynamics

The phenylalanine-glycine–repeat nucleoporins are essential for transport through the nuclear pore complex. Pulupa et al. observe reptation of these nucleoporins on a physiological timescale in coarse-grained computational simulations.

The phenylalanine-glycine–repeat nucleoporins (FG-Nups), which occupy the lumen of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), are critical for transport between the nucleus and cytosol. Although NPCs differ in composition across species, they are largely conserved in organization and function. Transport through the pore is on the millisecond timescale. Here, to explore the dynamics of nucleoporins on this timescale, we use coarse-grained computational simulations. These simulations generate predictions that can be experimentally tested to distinguish between proposed mechanisms of transport. Our model reflects the conserved structure of the NPC, in which FG-Nup filaments extend into the lumen and anchor along the interior of the channel. The lengths of the filaments in our model are based on the known characteristics of yeast FG-Nups. The FG-repeat sites also bind to each other, and we vary this association over several orders of magnitude and run 100-ms simulations for each value. The autocorrelation functions of the orientation of the simulated FG-Nups are compared with in vivo anisotropy data. We observe that FG-Nups reptate back and forth through the NPC at timescales commensurate with experimental measurements of the speed of cargo transport through the NPC. Our results are consistent with models of transport where FG-Nup filaments are free to move across the central channel of the NPC, possibly informing how cargo might transverse the NPC.

Grain subproteome responses to nitrogen and sulfur supply in diploid wheat Triticum monococcum ssp. monococcum

Wheat grain storage proteins (GSPs) make up most of the protein content of grain and determine flour end-use value. The synthesis and accumulation of GSPs depend highly on nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) availability and it is important to understand the underlying control mechanisms. Here we studied how the einkorn (Triticum monococcum ssp. monococcum) grain proteome responds to different amounts of N and S supply during grain development. GSP composition at grain maturity was clearly impacted by nutrition treatments, due to early changes in the rate of GSP accumulation during grain filling. Large-scale analysis of the nuclear and albumin-globulin subproteomes during this key developmental phase revealed that the abundance of 203 proteins was significantly modified by the nutrition treatments. Our results showed that the grain proteome was highly affected by perturbation in the N:S balance. S supply strongly increased the rate of accumulation of S-rich α/β-gliadin and γ-gliadin, and the abundance of several other proteins involved in glutathione metabolism. Post-anthesis N supply resulted in the activation of amino acid metabolism at the expense of carbohydrate metabolism and the activation of transport processes including nucleocytoplasmic transit. Protein accumulation networks were analyzed. Several central actors in the response were identified whose variation in abundance was related to variation in the amounts of many other proteins and are thus potentially important for GSP accumulation. This detailed analysis of grain subproteomes provides information on how wheat GSP composition can possibly be controlled in low-level fertilization condition.

Characterization of a nuclear pore protein sheds light on the roles and composition of the Toxoplasma gondii nuclear pore complex

The nuclear pore is a key structure in eukaryotes regulating nuclear-cytoplasmic transport as well as a wide range of cellular processes. Here, we report the characterization of the first Toxoplasma gondii nuclear pore protein, named TgNup302, which appears to be the orthologue of the mammalian Nup98-96 protein. We produced a conditional knock-down mutant that expresses TgNup302 under the control of an inducible tetracycline-regulated promoter. Under ATc treatment, a substantial decrease of TgNup302 protein in inducible knock-down (iKD) parasites was observed, causing a delay in parasite proliferation. Moreover, the nuclear protein TgENO2 was trapped in the cytoplasm of ATc-treated mutants, suggesting that TgNup302 is involved in nuclear transport. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that TgNup302 is essential for 18S RNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, while global mRNA export remains unchanged. Using an affinity tag purification combined with mass spectrometry, we identified additional components of the nuclear pore complex, including proteins potentially interacting with chromatin. Furthermore, reverse immunoprecipitation confirmed their interaction with TgNup302, and structured illuminated microscopy confirmed the NPC localization of some of the TgNup302-interacting proteins. Intriguingly, facilitates chromatin transcription complex (FACT) components were identified, suggesting the existence of an NPC-chromatin interaction in T. gondii. Identification of TgNup302-interacting proteins also provides the first glimpse at the NPC structure in Apicomplexa, suggesting a structural conservation of the NPC components between distant eukaryotes.

Comparative interactomics provides evidence for functional specialization of the nuclear pore complex

The core architecture of the eukaryotic cell was established well over one billion years ago, and is largely retained in all extant lineages. However, eukaryotic cells also possess lineage-specific features, frequently keyed to specific functional requirements. One quintessential core eukaryotic structure is the nuclear pore complex (NPC), responsible for regulating exchange of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm as well as acting as a nuclear organizational hub. NPC architecture has been best documented in one eukaryotic supergroup, the Opisthokonts (e.g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Homo sapiens), which although compositionally similar, have significant variations in certain NPC subcomplex structures. The variation of NPC structure across other taxa in the eukaryotic kingdom however, remains poorly understood. We explored trypanosomes, highly divergent organisms, and mapped and assigned their NPC proteins to specific substructures to reveal their NPC architecture. We showed that the NPC central structural scaffold is conserved, likely across all eukaryotes, but more peripheral elements can exhibit very significant lineage-specific losses, duplications or other alterations in their components. Amazingly, trypanosomes lack the major components of the mRNA export platform that are asymmetrically localized within yeast and vertebrate NPCs. Concomitant with this, the trypanosome NPC is ALMOST completely symmetric with the nuclear basket being the only major source of asymmetry. We suggest these features point toward a stepwise evolution of the NPC in which a coating scaffold first stabilized the pore after which selective gating emerged and expanded, leading to the addition of peripheral remodeling machineries on the nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic sides of the pore.

Roles of Nuclear Pores and Nucleo-cytoplasmic Trafficking in Plant Stress Responses

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a large protein complex that controls the exchange of components between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In plants, the NPC family components play critical roles not only in essential growth and developmental processes, but also in plant responses to various environmental stress conditions. The involvement of NPC components in plant stress responses is mainly attributed to different mechanisms including control of mRNA/protein nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking and transcriptional gene regulation. This mini review summarizes current knowledge of the NPC-mediated plant stress responses and provides an overview of the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Nonrandom domain organization of the Arabidopsis genome at the nuclear periphery

The nuclear space is not a homogeneous biochemical environment. Many studies have demonstrated that the transcriptional activity of a gene is linked to its positioning within the nuclear space. Following the discovery of lamin-associated domains (LADs), which are transcriptionally repressed chromatin regions, the nonrandom positioning of chromatin at the nuclear periphery and its biological relevance have been studied extensively in animals. However, it remains unknown whether comparable chromatin organizations exist in plants. Here, using a strategy using restriction enzyme-mediated chromatin immunoprecipitation, we present genome-wide identification of nonrandom domain organization of chromatin at the peripheral zone of Arabidopsis thaliana nuclei. We show that in various tissues, 10%-20% of the regions on the chromosome arms are anchored at the nuclear periphery, and these regions largely overlap between different tissues. Unlike LADs in animals, the identified domains in plants are not gene-poor or A/T-rich. These domains are enriched with silenced protein-coding genes, transposable element genes, and heterochromatic marks, which collectively define a repressed environment. In addition, these domains strongly correlate with our genome-wide chromatin interaction data set (Hi-C) by largely explaining the patterns of chromatin compartments, revealed on Hi-C maps. Moreover, our results reveal a spatial compartment of different DNA methylation pathways that regulate silencing of transposable elements, where the CHH methylation of transposable elements located at the nuclear periphery and in the interior are preferentially mediated by CMT2 and DRM methyltransferases, respectively. Taken together, the results demonstrate functional partitioning of the Arabidopsis genome in the nuclear space.

A gene delivery system containing nuclear localization signal: Increased nucleus import and transfection efficiency with the assistance of RanGAP1

In the present report, a degradable gene delivery system (PAMS/DNA/10NLS) containing nucleus location signal peptide (NLS) was prepared. The agarose gel electrophoresis, particle size and zeta potential of PAMS/DNA/10NLS were similar to those of PAMS/DNA, which proved that NLS did not affect the interaction between PAMS and DNA. PAMS/DNA/10NLS exhibited marked extracellular and intracellular degradation under acidic conditions. The degradation was believed to allow NLS to come into contact with importins easily, which was able to mediate the nucleus import. With the help of NLS, PAMS/DNA/10NLS exhibited a higher transfection capability than PAMS/DNA. Moreover, the transfection of PAMS/DNA/10NLS was less dependent on the breakdown of the nucleus envelope than PAMS/DNA. Considering that GTPase-activating protein 1 (RanGAP1) was able to activate the endogenous GTPase, which was necessary for NLS-mediated nucleus import, RanGAP1 overexpressed cells (RanGAP1 cells) were produced. This result showed that RanGAP1 cells had higher GTPase activities than normal cells. Both the nucleus import and transfection efficiency of PAMS/DNA/10NLS were markedly higher in RanGAP1 cells than that in normal cells. The in vivo transfection results also showed that the transfection efficiency of PAMS/DNA/10NLS was higher in RanGAP1 pre-treated mice than that in normal mice. These findings showed that PAMS/DNA/10NLS is a promising gene delivery system with the assistance of RanGAP1.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The present report describes the increased transfection efficiency of a degradable gene delivery system (PAMS/DNA/10NLS) containing nuclear location signal (NLS) with the assistance of GTPase-activating protein 1 (RanGAP1). The physicochemical properties of PAMS/DNA/10NLS were similar to those of PAMS/DNA. PAMS/DNA/10NLS exhibited great extracellular and intracellular degradations, which might allow NLS to contact with importins easily. With the help of NLS, PAMS/DNA/10NLS exhibited a higher transfection capability than PAMS/DNA. The transfection of PAMS/DNA/10NLS had less dependence on the breakdown of nuclear envelope. Both the nuclear import and transfection efficiency of PAMS/DNA/10NLS were higher in RanGAP1 overexpressed cells than that in normal cells. Moreover, the transfection efficiency of PAMS/DNA/10NLS was higher in RanGAP1 pre-treated mice than that in normal mice.

Nup82 functions redundantly with Nup136 in a salicylic acid-dependent defense response of Arabidopsis thaliana

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) comprises more than 30 nucleoporins (Nups). NPC mediates macromolecular trafficking between the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm, but specific roles of individual Nups are poorly understood in higher plants. Here, we show that the novel nucleoporin unique to angiosperm plants (designated as Nup82) functions in a salicylic acid-dependent defense in a redundant manner with Nup136, which is a component of the nuclear basket in the NPC. Arabidopsis thaliana Nup82 had a similar amino acid sequence to the N-terminal half of Nup136 and a Nup82-GFP fusion was localized on the nuclear envelope. Immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation analyses revealed that Nup82 interacts with the NPC components Nup136 and RAE1. The double knockout mutant nup82 nup136 showed severe growth defects, while the single knockout mutant nup82 did not, suggesting that Nup82 functions redundantly with Nup136. nup82 nup136 impaired benzothiadiazole (an analog of salicylic acid)-induced resistance to the virulent bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of nup82 nup136 indicates that deficiency of Nup82 and Nup136 causes noticeable downregulation of immune-related genes. These results suggest that Nup82 and Nup136 are redundantly involved in transcriptional regulation of salicylic acid-responsive genes through nuclear transport of signaling molecules.

The nuclear envelope and gene organization in parasitic protozoa: Specializations associated with disease

The parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei and Plasmodium falciparum are lethal human parasites that have developed elegant strategies of immune evasion by antigenic variation. Despite the vast evolutionary distance between the two taxa, both parasites employ strict monoallelic expression of their membrane proteins, variant surface glycoproteins in Trypanosomes and the var, rif and stevor genes in Plasmodium, in order to evade their host's immune system. Additionally, both telomeric location and epigenetic controls are prominent features of these membrane proteins. As such, telomeres, chromatin structure and nuclear organization all contribute to control of gene expression and immune evasion. Here, we discuss the importance of epigenetics and sub-nuclear context for the survival of these disease-causing parasites.

DRACULA2 is a dynamic nucleoporin with a role in regulating the shade avoidance syndrome in Arabidopsis

When plants grow in close proximity basic resources such as light can become limiting. Under such conditions plants respond to anticipate and/or adapt to the light shortage, a process known as the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS). Following genetic screening using a shade-responsive luciferase reporter line (PHYB:LUC), we identified DRACULA2 (DRA2), which encodes an Arabidopsis homolog of mammalian nucleoporin 98, a component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). DRA2, together with other nucleoporins, participates positively in the control of the hypocotyl elongation response to plant proximity, a role that can be considered dependent on the nucleocytoplasmic transport of macromolecules (i.e. is transport dependent). In addition, our results reveal a specific role for DRA2 in controlling shade-induced gene expression. We suggest that this novel regulatory role of DRA2 is transport independent and that it might rely on its dynamic localization within and outside of the NPC. These results provide mechanistic insights in to how SAS responses are rapidly established by light conditions. They also indicate that nucleoporins have an active role in plant signaling.

Twin anchors of the soybean isoflavonoid metabolon: evidence for tethering of the complex to the endoplasmic reticulum by IFS and C4H

Isoflavonoids are specialized plant metabolites, almost exclusive to legumes, and their biosynthesis forms a branch of the diverse phenylpropanoid pathway. Plant metabolism may be coordinated at many levels, including formation of protein complexes, or 'metabolons', which represent the molecular level of organization. Here, we have confirmed the existence of the long-postulated isoflavonoid metabolon by identifying elements of the complex, their subcellular localizations and their interactions. Isoflavone synthase (IFS) and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) have been shown to be tandem P450 enzymes that are anchored in the ER, interacting with soluble enzymes of the phenylpropanoid and isoflavonoid pathways (chalcone synthase, chalcone reductase and chalcone isomerase). The soluble enzymes of these pathways, whether localized to the cytoplasm or nucleus, are tethered to the ER through interaction with these P450s. The complex is also held together by interactions between the soluble elements. We provide evidence for IFS interaction with upstream and non-consecutive enzymes. The existence of such a protein complex suggests a possible mechanism for flux of metabolites into the isoflavonoid pathway. Further, through interaction studies, we identified several candidates that are associated with GmIFS2, an isoform of IFS, in soybean hairy roots. This list provides additional candidates for various biosynthetic and structural elements that are involved in isoflavonoid production. Our interaction studies provide valuable information about isoform specificity among isoflavonoid enzymes, which may guide future engineering of the pathway in legumes or help overcome bottlenecks in heterologous expression.

Interactome Mapping Reveals the Evolutionary History of the Nuclear Pore Complex

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is responsible for nucleocytoplasmic transport and constitutes a hub for control of gene expression. The components of NPCs from several eukaryotic lineages have been determined, but only the yeast and vertebrate NPCs have been extensively characterized at the quaternary level. Significantly, recent evidence indicates that compositional similarity does not necessarily correspond to homologous architecture between NPCs from different taxa. To address this, we describe the interactome of the trypanosome NPC, a representative, highly divergent eukaryote. We identify numerous new NPC components and report an exhaustive interactome, allowing assignment of trypanosome nucleoporins to discrete NPC substructures. Remarkably, despite retaining similar protein composition, there are exceptional architectural dissimilarities between opisthokont (yeast and vertebrates) and excavate (trypanosomes) NPCs. Whilst elements of the inner core are conserved, numerous peripheral structures are highly divergent, perhaps reflecting requirements to interface with divergent nuclear and cytoplasmic functions. Moreover, the trypanosome NPC has almost complete nucleocytoplasmic symmetry, in contrast to the opisthokont NPC; this may reflect divergence in RNA export processes at the NPC cytoplasmic face, as we find evidence supporting Ran-dependent mRNA export in trypanosomes, similar to protein transport. We propose a model of stepwise acquisition of nucleocytoplasmic mechanistic complexity and demonstrate that detailed dissection of macromolecular complexes provides fuller understanding of evolutionary processes.

Dissection of the nuclear pore complex—an ancient eukaryotic molecular machine—exposes a fundamental divergence in structure and function between yeast and humans versus trypanosomes and provides insights into the evolution of the nucleus.

Much of the core architecture of the eukaryotic cell was established over one billion years ago. Significantly, many cellular systems possess lineage-specific features, and architectural and compositional variation of complexes and pathways that are likely keyed to specific functional adaptations. The nuclear pore complex (NPC) contributes to many processes, including nucleocytoplasmic transport, interactions with the nuclear lamina, and mRNA processing. We exploited trypanosome parasites to investigate NPC evolution and conservation at the level of protein–protein interactions and composition. We unambiguously assigned NPC components to specific substructures and found that the NPC structural scaffold is generally conserved, albeit with lineage-specific elements. However, there is significant variation in pore membrane proteins and an absence of critical components involved in mRNA export in fungi and animals (opisthokonts). This is reflected by the completely symmetric localization of all trypanosome nucleoporins, with the exception of the nuclear basket. This architecture is highly distinct from opisthokonts. We also identify features that suggest a Ran-dependent system for mRNA export in trypanosomes, a system that may presage distinct mechanisms of protein and mRNA transport in animals and fungi. Our study highlights that shared composition of macromolecular assemblies does not necessarily equate to shared architecture. Identification of lineage-specific features within the trypanosome NPC significantly advances our understanding of mechanisms of nuclear transport, gene expression, and evolution of the nucleus.

Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is essential for BAK1- and BKK1-mediated cell-death control

BRI1-ASSOCIATED KINASE 1 (BAK1) was initially identified as a co-receptor of the brassinosteroid (BR) receptor BRI1. Genetic analyses also revealed that BAK1 and its closest homolog BAK1-LIKE 1 (BKK1) regulate a BR-independent cell-death control pathway. The double null mutant bak1 bkk1 displays a salicylic acid- and light-dependent cell-death phenotype even without pathogen invasion. Molecular mechanisms of the spontaneous cell death mediated by BAK1 and BKK1 remain unknown. Here we report our identification of a suppressor of bak1 bkk1 (sbb1-1). Genetic analyses indicated that cell-death symptoms in a weak double mutant, bak1-3 bkk1-1, were completely suppressed by the loss-of-function mutation in SBB1, which encodes a nucleoporin (NUP) 85-like protein. Genetic analyses also demonstrated that individually knocking out three other nucleoporin genes from the SBB1-located sub-complex was also able to rescue the cell-death phenotype of bak1-3 bkk1-1. In addition, a DEAD-box RNA helicase, DRH1, was identified in the same protein complex as SBB1 via a proteomic approach. The drh1 mutation also rescues the cell-death symptoms of bak1-3 bkk1-1. Further analyses indicated that export of poly(A)(+) RNA was greatly blocked in the nup and drh1 mutants, resulting in accumulation of significant levels of mRNAs in the nuclei. Over-expression of a bacterial NahG gene to inactivate salicylic acid also rescues the cell-death phenotype of bak1-3 bkk1-1. Mutants suppressing cell-death symptoms always showed greatly reduced salicylic acid contents. These results suggest that nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, especially of molecules directly or indirectly involved in endogenous salicylic acid accumulation, is critical in BAK1- and BKK1-mediated cell-death control.

Decreased Expression of a Gene Caused by a T-DNA Insertion in an Adjacent Gene in Arabidopsis

ALADIN is a component of the nuclear pore complex in higher eukaryotes. An Arabidopsis knockout line that had a T-DNA insertion in the ALADIN gene was defective in plant growth and thylakoid development and had reduced photosynthetic activity resulting from lower chlorophyll accumulation. The mutation appeared to decrease the level of chloroplast RuBisCO subunits and PSBA and PGL35 proteins. Unexpectedly, the T-DNA insertion in the ALADIN gene decreased the expression of the neighboring gene PSRP5, which functions in translation in chloroplasts. The mutant phenotype was rescued by expressing PSRP5, but not by expressing ALADIN. The abnormal phenotypes were also detected in an artificial microRNA (amiRNA)-mediated PSRPS5 knockdown, but not in an amiRNA-mediated ALADIN knockdown line. Thus, users of T-DNA insertions should be aware that a T-DNA insertion in one gene can have effects on the expression of neighboring genes.

Complex Commingling: Nucleoporins and the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The segregation of the chromosomes during mitosis is an important process, in which the replicated DNA content is properly allocated into two daughter cells. To ensure their genomic integrity, cells present an essential surveillance mechanism known as the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), which monitors the bipolar attachment of the mitotic spindle to chromosomes to prevent errors that would result in chromosome mis-segregation and aneuploidy. Multiple components of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), a gigantic protein complex that forms a channel through the nuclear envelope to allow nucleocytoplasmic exchange of macromolecules, were shown to be critical for faithful cell division and implicated in the regulation of different steps of the mitotic process, including kinetochore and spindle assembly as well as the SAC. In this review, we will describe current knowledge about the interconnection between the NPC and the SAC in an evolutional perspective, which primarily relies on the two mitotic checkpoint regulators, Mad1 and Mad2. We will further discuss the role of NPC constituents, the nucleoporins, in kinetochore and spindle assembly and the formation of the mitotic checkpoint complex during mitosis and interphase.

Arginine methylation of DRBD18 differentially impacts its opposing effects on the trypanosome transcriptome

Arginine methylation is a posttranslational modification that impacts wide-ranging cellular functions, including transcription, mRNA splicing and translation. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) represent one of the largest classes of arginine methylated proteins in both mammals and the early diverging parasitic protozoan, Trypanosoma brucei. Here, we report the effects of arginine methylation on the functions of the essential and previously uncharacterized T. brucei RBP, DRBD18. RNAseq analysis shows that DRBD18 depletion causes extensive rearrangement of the T. brucei transcriptome, with increases and decreases in hundreds of mRNAs. DRBD18 contains three methylated arginines, and we used complementation of DRBD18 knockdown cells with methylmimic or hypomethylated DRBD18 to assess the functions of these methylmarks. Methylmimic and hypomethylated DRBD18 associate with different ribonucleoprotein complexes. These altered macromolecular interactions translate into differential impacts on the T. brucei transcriptome. Methylmimic DRBD18 preferentially stabilizes target RNAs, while hypomethylated DRBD18 is more efficient at destabilizing RNA. The protein arginine methyltransferase, TbPRMT1, interacts with DRBD18 and knockdown of TbPRMT1 recapitulates the effects of hypomethylated DRBD18 on mRNA levels. Together, these data support a model in which arginine methylation acts as a switch that regulates T. brucei gene expression.

Plant nuclear shape is independently determined by the SUN-WIP-WIT2-myosin XI-i complex and CRWN1

Nuclei undergo dynamic shape changes during plant development, but the mechanism is unclear. In Arabidopsis, Sad1/UNC-84 (SUN) proteins, WPP domain-interacting proteins (WIPs), WPP domain-interacting tail-anchored proteins (WITs), myosin XI-i, and CROWDED NUCLEI 1 (CRWN1) have been shown to be essential for nuclear elongation in various epidermal cell types. It has been proposed that WITs serve as adaptors linking myosin XI-i to the SUN-WIP complex at the nuclear envelope (NE). Recently, an interaction between Arabidopsis SUN1 and SUN2 proteins and CRWN1, a plant analog of lamins, has been reported. Therefore, the CRWN1-SUN-WIP-WIT-myosin XI-i interaction may form a linker of the nucleoskeleton to the cytoskeleton complex. In this study, we investigate this proposed mechanism in detail for nuclei of Arabidopsis root hairs and trichomes. We show that WIT2, but not WIT1, plays an essential role in nuclear shape determination by recruiting myosin XI-i to the SUN-WIP NE bridges. Compared with SUN2, SUN1 plays a predominant role in nuclear shape. The NE localization of SUN1, SUN2, WIP1, and a truncated WIT2 does not depend on CRWN1. While crwn1 mutant nuclei are smooth, the nuclei of sun or wit mutants are invaginated, similar to the reported myosin XI-i mutant phenotype. Together, this indicates that the roles of the respective WIT and SUN paralogs have diverged in trichomes and root hairs, and that the SUN-WIP-WIT2-myosin XI-i complex and CRWN1 independently determine elongated nuclear shape. This supports a model of nuclei being shaped both by cytoplasmic forces transferred to the NE and by nucleoplasmic filaments formed under the NE.

The plant nuclear envelope and regulation of gene expression

The nuclear envelope (NE) separates the key mechanisms of transcription and translation, and as such is a critical control point in all eukaryotic cells. In plants, the proteins of the NE influence a number of processes including the control of nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of RNA and protein, chromatin localization to the nuclear periphery, and direct chromatin binding by members of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). In this review I attempt to bring these roles under the umbrella of their effect on gene expression, even though the complex nature of this cellular environment means there is considerable overlap of effects. Although the volume of research in plant cells has greatly improved over recent years, it is clear that our understanding of how the components of the NE either directly or indirectly influence gene expression is still in its infancy.

Inside a plant nucleus: discovering the proteins

Nuclear proteins are a vital component of eukaryotic cell nuclei and have a profound effect on the way in which genetic information is stored, expressed, replicated, repaired, and transmitted to daughter cells and progeny. Because of the plethora of functions, nuclear proteins represent the most abundant components of cell nuclei in all eukaryotes. However, while the plant genome is well understood at the DNA level, information on plant nuclear proteins remains scarce, perhaps with the exception of histones and a few other proteins. This lack of knowledge hampers efforts to understand how the plant genome is organized in the nucleus and how it functions. This review focuses on the current state of the art of the analysis of the plant nuclear proteome. Previous proteome studies have generally been designed to search for proteins involved in plant response to various forms of stress or to identify rather a modest number of proteins. Thus, there is a need for more comprehensive and systematic studies of proteins in the nuclei obtained at individual phases of the cell cycle, or isolated from various tissue types and stages of cell and tissue differentiation. All this in combination with protein structure, predicted function, and physical localization in 3D nuclear space could provide much needed progress in our understanding of the plant nuclear proteome and its role in plant genome organization and function.

Soybean chalcone isomerase: evolution of the fold, and the differential expression and localization of the gene family

MAIN CONCLUSION

Soybean chalcone isomerase (CHI) family contains twelve members with unique evolutionary background, expression patterns and is compartmentalized to specific subcellular locations. The phenylpropanoid pathway produces a diverse array of plant natural products. A key branch-point enzyme, chalcone isomerase, catalyzes the reaction producing flavanones, the backbone for many downstream metabolites such as flavonoids and isoflavonoids. We have identified twelve soybean GmCHIs that fall into four subfamilies. The study of this family in soybean in the context of various CHIs and CHI-like proteins, across divisions in the plant kingdom and beyond, shows an evolutionary journey from fatty acid-binding proteins (FAPs) to sterically restricted folds that gave rise to the chalcone-to-flavanone isomerase. There are four GmCHIs with this functionality, three of which belong to a legume-specific clade known as 'type II' CHIs. Tissue-specific expression of eight core members of the soybean CHI family showed differential temporal and spatial expression, pointing to the potential function of GmCHI1A in seed isoflavonoid production. Promoter analysis of the GmCHIs described the minutiae of sub-organ expression patterns. Subcellular localization of the family was conducted to investigate the possibility of pathway-specific compartmentalization. Subfamilies 1, 2 and 4 localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm, with nuclear localization of CHIs raising questions about alternate function. GmCHI3 isoforms localized to the chloroplast, which, in conjunction with their position on the phylogenetic tree and expression patterns, closely associates them with the FAPs. This study provides the first comprehensive look at soybean CHIs, a family of unique evolutionary background and biochemical function, with the catalytically active members producing the backbone substrate in an important plant metabolic pathway.