The analysis of nucleocytoplasmic transport of proteins and messenger RNA has been the focus of advanced microscopic approaches. Recently, it has been possible to identify and visualize individual pre-ribosomal particles on their way through the nuclear pore complex using both electron and light microscopy. In this review, we focused on the transport of pre-ribosomal particles in the nucleus on their way to and through the pores.

Human respiratory viruses are the most prevalent cause of disease in humans, with the highly infectious RSV being the leading cause of infant bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia. Responses to type I IFNs are the primary defense against viral infection. However, RSV proteins have been shown to antagonize type I IFN-mediated antiviral innate immunity, specifically dampening intracellular IFN signaling. Respiratory epithelial cells are the main target for RSV infection. In this study, we found RSV-NS1 interfered with the IFN-α JAK/STAT signaling pathway of epithelial cells. RSV-NS1 expression significantly enhanced IFN-α-mediated phosphorylation of STAT1, but not pSTAT2; and neither STAT1 nor STAT2 total protein levels were affected by RSV-NS1. However, expression of RSV-NS1 significantly reduced ISRE and GAS promoter activity and anti-viral IRG expression. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated RSV-NS1 bound STAT1, with protein modeling indicating a possible interaction site between STAT1 and RSV-NS1. Nuclear translocation of STAT1 was reduced in the presence of RSV-NS1. Additionally, STAT1\'s interaction with the nuclear transport adapter protein, KPNA1, was also reduced, suggesting a mechanism by which RSV blocks STAT1 nuclear translocation. Indeed, reducing STAT1\'s access to the nucleus may explain RSV\'s suppression of IFN JAK/STAT promoter activation and antiviral gene induction. Taken together these results describe a novel mechanism by which RSV controls antiviral IFN-α JAK/STAT responses, which enhances our understanding of RSV\'s respiratory disease progression.

Aggregation of aberrant proteins is a common pathological hallmark in neurodegeneration such as polyglutamine (polyQ) and other repeat-expansion diseases. Here through overexpression of ataxin3 C-terminal polyQ expansion in Drosophila gut enterocytes, we generated an intestinal obstruction model of spinocerebellar ataxia type3 (SCA3) and reported a new role of nuclear-associated endosomes (NAEs)-the delivery of polyQ to the nucleoplasm. In this model, accompanied by the prominently increased RAB5-positive NAEs are abundant nucleoplasmic reticulum enriched with polyQ, abnormal nuclear envelope invagination, significantly reduced endoplasmic reticulum, indicating dysfunctional nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and impaired endomembrane organization. Consistently, Rab5 but not Rab7 RNAi further decreased polyQ-related NAEs, inhibited endomembrane disorganization, and alleviated disease model. Interestingly, autophagic proteins were enriched in polyQ-related NAEs and played non-canonical autophagic roles as genetic manipulation of autophagic molecules exhibited differential impacts on NAEs and SCA3 toxicity. Namely, the down-regulation of Atg1 or Atg12 mitigated while Atg5 RNAi aggravated the disease phenotypes both in Drosophila intestines and compound eyes. Our findings, therefore, provide new mechanistic insights and underscore the fundamental roles of endosome-centered nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and homeostatic endomembrane allocation in the pathogenesis of polyQ diseases.

How nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) rates change due to cellular physiology-mediated fluctuations in GTP availability remains unclear. In this issue, Scott et al. (https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202308152) demonstrate that cell migration, spreading, and nucleocytoskeletal coupling impact GTP levels, thereby regulating NCT, RNA export, and protein synthesis.

Signal recognition particles (SRPs) are essential for regulating intracellular protein transport and secretion. Patients with tumors with high SRP9 expression tend to have a poorer overall survival. However, to the best of our knowledge, no reports have described the relationship between SRP9 localization and prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate this relationship. Immunohistochemical staining for SRP9 using excised specimens from pancreatic cancer surgery cases without preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy showed that SRP9 was preferentially expressed in the nucleus of the cancerous regions in some cases, which was hardly detected in other cases, indicating that SRP9 was transported to the nucleus in the former cases. To compare the prognosis of patients with SRP9 nuclear translocation, patients were divided into two groups: Those with a nuclear translocation rate of >50% and those with a nuclear translocation rate of ≤50%. The nuclear translocation rate of >50% group had a significantly better recurrence‑free survival than the nuclear translocation rate of ≤50% group (P=0.037). Subsequent in vitro experiments were conducted; notably, the nuclear translocation rate of SRP9 was reduced under amino acid‑deficient conditions, suggesting that multiple factors are involved in this phenomenon. To further study the function of SRP9 nuclear translocation, in vitro experiments were performed by introducing SRP9 splicing variants (v1 and v2) and their deletion mutants lacking C‑terminal regions into MiaPaCa pancreatic cancer cells. The results demonstrated that both splicing variants showed nuclear translocation regardless of the C‑terminal deletions, suggesting the role of the N‑terminal regions. Given that SRP9 is an RNA‑binding protein, the study of RNA immunoprecipitation revealed that signaling pathways involved in cancer progression and protein translation were downregulated in nuclear‑translocated v1 and v2. Undoubtedly, further studies of the nuclear translocation of SRP9 will open an avenue to optimize the precise evaluation and therapeutic control of pancreatic cancer.

Cell division presents a challenge for eukaryotic cells: how can chromosomes effectively segregate within the confines of a membranous nuclear compartment? Different organisms have evolved diverse solutions by modulating the degree of nuclear compartmentalization, ranging from complete nuclear envelope breakdown to complete maintenance of nuclear compartmentalization via nuclear envelope expansion. Many intermediate forms exist between these extremes, suggesting that nuclear dynamics during cell division are surprisingly plastic. In this review, we highlight the evolutionary diversity of nuclear divisions, focusing on two defining characteristics: (1) chromosome compartmentalization and (2) nucleocytoplasmic transport. Further, we highlight recent evidence that nuclear behavior during division can vary within different cellular contexts in the same organism. The variation observed within and between organisms underscores the dynamic evolution of nuclear divisions tailored to specific contexts and cellular requirements. In-depth investigation of diverse nuclear divisions will enhance our understanding of the nucleus, both in physiological and pathological states.

Nucleoporins, the components of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), can play cell type- and tissue-specific functions. Yet, the physiological roles and mechanisms of action for most NPC components have not yet been established. We report that Nup358, a nucleoporin linked to several myeloid disorders, is required for the developmental progression of early myeloid progenitors. We found that Nup358 ablation in mice results in the loss of myeloid-committed progenitors and mature myeloid cells and the accumulation of myeloid-primed multipotent progenitors (MPPs) in bone marrow. Accumulated MPPs in Nup358 knockout mice are greatly restricted to megakaryocyte/erythrocyte-biased MPP2, which fail to progress into committed myeloid progenitors. Mechanistically, we found that Nup358 is required for histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) nuclear import and function in MPP2 cells and established that this nucleoporin regulates HDAC3 nuclear translocation in a SUMOylation-independent manner. Our study identifies a critical function for Nup358 in myeloid-primed MPP2 differentiation and uncovers an unexpected role for NPCs in the early steps of myelopoiesis.

In cancer cells, the nuclear transport system is often disrupted, leading to abnormal localization of nuclear proteins and altered gene expression. This disruption can arise from various mechanisms such as mutations in genes that regulate nuclear transport, altered expression of transport proteins, and changes in nuclear envelope structure. Oncogenic protein build-up in the nucleus due to the disturbance in nuclear transport can also boost tumor growth and cell proliferation. In this study, we performed bioinformatic analyses of 23 key nuclear transport receptors using genomic and transcriptomic data from pancancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and found that the total alteration frequency of 23 nuclear transport receptors in 2691 samples of the PCAWG Consortium was 42.1% and a high levels of genetic alterations was significantly associated with poor overall survival. Amplification was the most common type of genetic alterations, and results in the overexpression of nuclear transport receptors in HNSCC compared to normal tissues. Furthermore, our study revealed that seven out of eight cell cycle genes (CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, CCNA1, CCNB1, and CCNE2) were significantly and positively correlated with nuclear transport receptor genes in TCGA pancancer and CCLE datasets. Additionally, functional enrichment analysis showed that nuclear transport receptor genes were mainly enriched in the adhesion junction, cell cycle, ERBB, MAPK, MTOR and WNT signaling pathways.

The L 1 region of bovine adenovirus (BAdV)-3 encodes a multifunctional protein named protein VII. Anti-protein VII sera detected a protein of 26 kDa in transfected or BAdV-3-infected cells, which localizes to nucleus and nucleolus of infected/transfected cells. Analysis of mutant protein VII identified four redundant overlapping nuclear/nucleolar localization signals as deletion of all four potential nuclear/nucleolar localization signals localizes protein VII predominantly to the cytoplasm. The nuclear import of protein VII appears to use importin α (α-1), importin-β (β-1) and transportin-3 nuclear transport receptors. In addition, different nuclear transport receptors also require part of protein VII outside nuclear localization sequences for efficient interaction. Proteomic analysis of protein complexes purified from recombinant BAdV-3 expressing protein VII containing Strep Tag II identified potential viral and cellular proteins interacting with protein VII. Here, we confirm that protein VII interacts with IVa2 and protein VIII in BAdV-3-infected cells. Moreover, amino acids 91-101 and 126-137, parts of non-conserved region of protein VII, are required for interaction with IVa2 and protein VIII, respectively.

BACKGROUND: Exportin-1 (XPO1), a crucial protein regulating nuclear-cytoplasmic transport, is frequently overexpressed in various cancers, driving tumor progression and drug resistance. This makes XPO1 an attractive therapeutic target. Over the past few decades, the number of available nuclear export-selective inhibitors has been increasing. Only KPT-330 (selinexor) has been successfully used for treating haematological malignancies, and KPT-8602 (eltanexor) has been used for treating haematologic tumours in clinical trials. However, the use of nuclear export-selective inhibitors for the inhibition of XPO1 expression has yet to be thoroughly investigated in clinical studies and therapeutic outcomes for solid tumours.
METHODS: We collected numerous literatures to explain the efficacy of XPO1 Inhibitors in preclinical and clinical studies of a wide range of solid tumours.
RESULTS: In this review, we focus on the nuclear export function of XPO1 and results from clinical trials of its inhibitors in solid malignant tumours. We summarized the mechanism of action and therapeutic potential of XPO1 inhibitors, as well as adverse effects and response biomarkers.
CONCLUSIONS: XPO1 inhibition has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in the fight against cancer, offering a novel approach to targeting tumorigenic processes and overcoming drug resistance. SINE compounds have demonstrated efficacy in a wide range of solid tumours, and ongoing research is focused on optimizing their use, identifying response biomarkers, and developing effective combination therapies.
CONCLUSIONS: Exportin-1 (XPO1) plays a critical role in mediating nucleocytoplasmic transport and cell cycle. XPO1 dysfunction promotes tumourigenesis and drug resistance within solid tumours. The therapeutic potential and ongoing researches on XPO1 inhibitors in the treatment of solid tumours. Additional researches are essential to address safety concerns and identify biomarkers for predicting patient response to XPO1 inhibitors.