An essential nuclear envelope integral membrane protein, Brr6p, required for nuclear transport

EMBO J. 2001 Aug 1;20(15):4183-93. doi: 10.1093/emboj/20.15.4183.

Abstract

Despite rapid advances in our understanding of the function of the nuclear pore complex in nuclear transport, little is known about the role the nuclear envelope itself may play in this critical process. A small number of integral membrane proteins specific to the envelope have been identified in budding yeast, however, none has been reported to affect transport. We have identified an essential gene, BRR6, whose product, Brr6p, behaves like a nuclear envelope integral membrane protein. Notably, the brr6-1 mutant specifically affects transport of mRNA and a protein reporter containing a nuclear export signal. In addition, Brr6p depletion alters nucleoporin distribution and nuclear envelope morphology, suggesting that the protein is required for the spatial organization of nuclear pores. BRR6 interacts genetically with a subset of nucleoporins, and Brr6-green fluorescent protein (GFP) localizes in a punctate nuclear rim pattern, suggesting location at or near the nuclear pore. However, Brr6-GFP fails to redistribute in a (Delta)nup133 mutant, distinguishing Brr6p from known proteins of the pore membrane domain. We hypothesize that Brr6p is located adjacent to the nuclear pore and interacts functionally with the pore and transport machinery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutagenesis
  • Nuclear Envelope / metabolism
  • Nuclear Pore / metabolism
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Fungal / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*

Substances

  • Brr6 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • NSP1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • NUP1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • NUP188 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Fungal
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins