3. NUCLEAR ENVELOPE
Nuclear envelope : consists of two nuclear membranes
that envelops the nucleus of an eukaryotic cell, an
underlying nuclear lamina, and nuclear pore
complexes.
Encloses nuclear DNA.
Defines the nuclear compartment.
Separates nucleus and cytoplasmic contents separate
metabolic compartments.
Structural framework for nucleus.
5. NUCLEAR MEMBRANES:
2 lipid bilayer membranes:
•Punctured nuclear pores connect the two
membranes.
•Different in protein composition
•Separated by perinuclear space
Inner membrane – associated with nuclear
lamina
Outer membrane – continuous with
endoplasmic reticulum
11. STRUCTURE OF THE NUCLEAR
PORES:
•Large compared to other
proteins.
•Octagonal symmetry.
•Mass approx. 125
megaDaltons in vertebrates.
•Cytoplasmic fibrils (tentacle-
like)
•Nuclear meshwork
16. FUNCTION OF THE NUCLEAR PORE
Passive diffusion of low molecular weight solutes
Regulated transport of macromolecules larger
than 40 kDa
Nuclear import signal: NLS
Nuclear export sequence: NES
Importins: cytoplasm to nucleoplasm
Exportins: nucleoplasm to cytoplasm
GTPase Ran controls interactions of cargo and
karyopherin