THE NUCLEAR-PORE COMPLEX

The nuclear pore complex is the largest supramolecular complex that as sembles in the eukaryotic cell. This structure is highly dynamic and m ust disassemble prior to mitosis and reassemble after the event. The d irected movement of macromolecules into and out of the nucleus occurs through the nuclear pore complex, a potentially regulatory point for t ranslocation. Using biochemical and genetic approaches, several nuclea r pore complex proteins from yeast and vertebrates have been well char acterized. Although very little is known about plant nuclear pore prot eins, research is providing new information that indicates that plant nuclear pore complexes may have some unique features.