Imaging within single NPCs reveals NXF1’s role in mRNA export on the cytoplasmic side of the pore

Rakefet Ben-Yishay, Amir Mor, Amit Shraga, Asaf Ashkenazy-Titelman, Noa Kinor, Avital Schwed-Gross, Avi Jacob, Noga Kozer, Pramod Kumar, Yuval Garini, Yaron Shav-Tal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Translocation of mRNA through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) requires interactions with different NPC regions. To determine the interactions that are crucial for effective mRNA export in living cells, we examined mRNA export within individual pores by applying various types of mRNA export blocks that stalled mRNPs at different stages of transition. Focusing on the major mRNA export factor NXF1, we found that initial mRNP binding to the NPC did not require NXF1 in the NPC, whereas release into the cytoplasm did. NXF1 localization in the NPC did not require RNA or RNA binding. Superresolution microscopy showed that NXF1 consistently occupied positions on the cytoplasmic side of the NPC. Interactions with specific nucleoporins were pinpointed using FLIM-FRET for measuring protein–protein interactions inside single NPCs, showing that Dbp5 helicase activity of mRNA release is conserved in yeast and humans. Altogether, we find that specific interactions on the cytoplasmic side of the NPC are fundamental for the directional flow of mRNA export.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2962-2981
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume218
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Sep 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Ben-Yishay et al.

Funding

This study was supported by the European Research Council (GENEXP; Y. Shav-Tal) and the Israel Science Foundation (2252/ 15 and 1278/18; Y. Shav-Tal). The authors declare no competing financial interests.

FundersFunder number
GENEXP
European Commission
Israel Science Foundation1278/18, 2252/ 15

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