UC Berkeley

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is primarily recognized for its function as the gateway for nucleocytoplasmic traffic, regulating biochemical exchange between the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm. On the other hand, the LINC complex, comprised of SUN-domain and KASH-domain proteins, is typically credited as the main physical bridge across the nuclear envelope. However, recent evidence suggests that the NPC is also directly engaged with the cytoskeletal elements and the nucleoskeleton, and as such provides a direct physical association between the nucleus and the cytoskeleton. Moreover, by controlling the transport of inner nuclear membrane proteins, including components of the LINC complex, the NPC plays additional roles in physically connecting the cytoskeleton and the nucleus. This review examines the NPC’s direct and indirect contributions to nucleo-cytoskeletal coupling and mechanobiology.