Nuclear-pore-complex dynamics and transport in higher eukaryotes

The nuclear-pore complex controls the passage of macromolecules to and from the nucleus. It is a complex structure spanning the double-membrane nuclea r envelope, consisting of many proteins and structural components. Structur ally it consists of a series of stacked rings and associated filaments and a central cylinder which appears to contain the transport channel. Much of the pore complex appears to be dynamic, altering conformationally during tr ansport. We review what is known about pore complex structure and dynamics and attempt to relate this to recent new information on transport pathways and the interactions of transport factors with each other and with componen ts of the nuclear-pore complex.