ABSTRACT
The vast majority of the nuclear-encoded proteins are translated in the cytosol and may be imported into the organelle. Dual localization of mitochondrial and nuclear proteins is a reality. The nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear envelope (NE), and the double-layered nuclear membrane contains two lipid bilayers. Recent investigations, based on historical progression, have produced further details about general nuclear membrane structures and specific nuclear membrane pore structures. Numerous studies have recently uncovered new functions of NE proteins, underlying an emerging view of the NE as a critical signaling node in development and disease. The nuclear envelope transmembrane proteins (NETPs) play important roles in versatile cellular functions including ensuring sustained nuclear transports and participating in cell signaling. Translocation of individual transport protein-cargo complexes is not directly coupled to GTP hydrolysis and occurs by thermal diffusion. Fedorenko and colleagues then explored the NE ion channels of the nuclear membrane of hippocampal neurons.
