The Nuclear Envelope

  1. Martin W. Hetzer
  1. Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, La Jolla, California 92037
  1. Correspondence: hetzer{at}salk.edu

Abstract

The nuclear envelope (NE) is a highly regulated membrane barrier that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells. It contains a large number of different proteins that have been implicated in chromatin organization and gene regulation. Although the nuclear membrane enables complex levels of gene expression, it also poses a challenge when it comes to cell division. To allow access of the mitotic spindle to chromatin, the nucleus of metazoans must completely disassemble during mitosis, generating the need to re-establish the nuclear compartment at the end of each cell division. Here, I summarize our current understanding of the dynamic remodeling of the NE during the cell cycle.

Footnotes

  • Editors: David Spector and Tom Misteli

  • Additional Perspectives on The Nucleus available at www.cshperspectives.org



Also in this Collection

      | Table of Contents

      This Article

      1. Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Biol. 2: a000539 Copyright © 2010 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved

      Article Category

      Updates/Comments

      1. Submit Updates/Comments
      2. No Updates/Comments published

      Subject Collections

      1. The Nucleus

      Share

      In this Collection