Structure of Nup58/45 suggests flexible nuclear pore diameter by intermolecular sliding.
Melcak, I., Hoelz, A., Blobel, G.(2007) Science 315: 1729-1732
- PubMed: 17379812 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1135730
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2OSZ - PubMed Abstract: 
The nucleoporins Nup58 and Nup45 are part of the central transport channel of the nuclear pore complex, which is thought to have a flexible diameter. In the crystal structure of an alpha-helical region of mammalian Nup58/45, we identified distinct tetramers, each consisting of two antiparallel hairpin dimers. The intradimeric interface is hydrophobic, whereas dimer-dimer association occurs through large hydrophilic residues. These residues are laterally displaced in various tetramer conformations, which suggests an intermolecular sliding by 11 angstroms. We propose that circumferential sliding plays a role in adjusting the diameter of the central transport channel.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Laboratory of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.