Molecular structures of the nuclear pore complex in Tetrahymena

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26291007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Molecular biology
• Research Institution: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
• Principal Investigator: Haraguchi Tokuko 国立研究開発法人情報通信研究機構, 未来ICT研究所・フロンティア創造総合研究室, 主任研究員 (20359079)
• Research Collaborator: OBUSE CHIKASHI 北海道大学, 先端生命科学研究科(研究院), 教授 (00273855) ; IWAMOTO MASAAKI 国立研究開発法人情報通信研究機構, 未来ICT研究所・フロンティア創造総合研究室, 主任研究員 (80450683)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞・組織 / 生体分子 / 蛋白質 / 発生・分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A ciliated Tetrahymena has two structurally and functionally distinct nuclei, a somatic macronucleus (MAC) and a germline micronucleus (MIC) that develop from the post-zygotic nuclei originated from MIC during the sexual process of conjugation. This study aims to understand molecular and structural difference between MAC and MIC nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), which is believed to be involved in the nuclear differentiation. By combining in silico analysis, mass spectrometry analysis for immuno-isolated proteins, and subcellular localization analysis of GFP fused proteins, we first identified all components of the NPCs in MAC and MIC and indicated structural difference between MAC and MIC NPCs. We next examined dynamic process of the nuclear differentiation using fluorescence live cell imaging and Live CLEM imaging, and found that assembly of the type-specific NPC is one of the most important determinants for the nuclear differentiation.

Free Research Field

分子細胞生物学