Asymmetric distribution of nuclear pore complexes and the cytoplasmic localization of β2-tubulin mRNA in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Daniel A. Colón-Ramos, Jeffrey L. Salisbury, Mark A. Sanders, Shailesh M. Shenoy, Robert H. Singer, Mariano A. García-Blanco

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although it is generally accepted that nuclear architecture is an important determinant of nuclear activity, it is not clear whether cytoplasmic events, such as transcript localization and cell polarity, are affected by this architecture. Characterization of the nuclear architecture of the single-cell alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii revealed a polarized nucleus, with nuclear pore complexes preferentially concentrated at the posterior side of the nucleus. Nuclear asymmetry was greatly exaggerated during the upregulation of genes encoding flagellar proteins, when nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) were observed to hyperpolarize to the posterior side of the nucleus while heterochromatin polarized to the anterior side. Interestingly, prior to deflagellation, the β2-tubulin gene was preferentially located in the posterior region of the nucleus, and following deflagellation, β2-tubulin transcripts accumulated posteriorly in polysome-rich cytoplasmic regions adjacent to the highest concentration of NPCs, suggesting a connection between nuclear architecture and cytoplasmic transcript localization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)941-952
Number of pages12
JournalDevelopmental cell
Volume4
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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