NUCLEOPORINS Meaning and
Definition
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Nucleoporins are a class of proteins found in the nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), which are large protein structures that span the nuclear envelope of eukaryotic cells. These NPCs act as gatekeepers, regulating the transport of molecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Nucleoporins form the building blocks of NPC structures, playing a crucial role in their assembly and function.
These proteins are highly diverse in terms of their primary sequence and structural motifs. They are classified into different families based on their characteristic domains and functions. Some nucleoporins contain phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeat sequences, which are believed to play a significant role in mediating the selective transport of macromolecules through NPCs. Other nucleoporins have domains that are involved in anchoring the NPCs to the nuclear envelope or in forming the scaffold of the pore complex.
The nucleoporin-mediated transport is a tightly regulated process that involves interactions between nucleoporins, transport receptors, and cargo molecules. Nucleoporins contribute to the selective permeability of NPCs by forming a network of protein channels that can facilitate passive diffusion or active transport of molecules of different sizes and properties.
Nucleoporins are crucial for maintaining the integrity and functionality of the nucleus and are involved in various cellular processes, including gene expression, chromatin organization, and cell signaling. Defects in nucleoporins or abnormalities in NPC function can lead to severe cellular dysfunctions and have been implicated in various human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and developmental abnormalities. Studying nucleoporins and their roles in nuclear transport and cellular processes is essential for understanding fundamental aspects of cell biology and disease mechanisms.
Common Misspellings for NUCLEOPORINS
- bucleoporins
- mucleoporins
- jucleoporins
- hucleoporins
- nycleoporins
- nhcleoporins
- njcleoporins
- nicleoporins
- n8cleoporins
- n7cleoporins
- nuxleoporins
- nuvleoporins
- nufleoporins
- nudleoporins
- nuckeoporins
- nucpeoporins
- nucoeoporins
- nuclwoporins
- nuclsoporins
- nucldoporins
Etymology of NUCLEOPORINS
The word "nucleoporins" is formed by combining the word "nucleo" which refers to the nucleus of a cell, and "porin" which is derived from the Greek word "poros" meaning "pore". Thus, "nucleoporins" refers to the proteins that form the nuclear pores in a cell. These nuclear pores are large protein complexes that allow the transport of molecules such as RNA and proteins between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
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