Roles of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) in physiology, pathophysiology and diseases

V. Shahin, G. Rosso, I. LiashkovichNPCs are supramolecular assemblies consisting of several copies of ~ 30 different proteins. They mediate highly selectively all nucleocytoplasmic transport and thereby safeguard the nuclear DNA. Moreover, NPC proteins act as potent transcription factors with key physiological and developmental roles. Given the fundamental roles of NPCs, it comes as no surprise that their malfunction is associated with cancer and ageing related diseases amongst others. We designed several experimental assays enabling comprehensive structural, functional, biochemical and biophysical NPC investigations under physiological and pathophysiological (apoptosis and viral infections) conditions. For this purpose we apply several atomic force microscopy techniques, confocal and epifluorescence microscopies in combination with diverse biochemical methods.A. Kramer et al., PNAS 2008

  • Structural and functional arrangement of the NPC barrier

    This project is pursued within the framework of the European Marie Skłodowska Curie Innovative Training Network "pHioniC". It was originally initiated within the "IonTraC" network (2011-15) that was built around the study of ion transport proteins in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We are studying how the crosstalk between ion channels and transporters in pancreatic stellate cells and the PDAC microenvironment drives the progression of the disease.
    V. Shahin, I. Liashkovich
    We are interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying NPC selectivity.

    V. Shahin, 2016, Nature Nanotechnology

  • Nuclear delivery of viral genomes across the nuclear envelope

    Numerous viruses rely on a key step in their life cycle, which is the overcoming of the NPC and nuclear envelope barrier for nuclear delivery of the viral genomes. We designed an experimental approach enabling comprehensive investigation of interactions between incoming viral particles and NPCs and the nuclear envelope.A. Meyering-Wösten et al., 2014, Journal of Controlled Release

  • Relationship between NPCs and clathrin

    I. Liaskovich, V. ShahinWe are interested in the structural and functional links between NPC proteins and clathrin.I. Liaskovich et al., 2015, Scientific Report