Characterizing mRNA export at high resolution in individual nuclear pores in single cells

The export of mRNA from the cell nucleus is one of the pillars of the gene expression pathway in eukaryotes. Conventional light microscopy does not allow high resolution analysis of mRNA export in intact cells nor does it enable the examination of specific and functional interactions that exported molecules undergo as they pass from the nuclear side of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), through the inner channel of the pore, and then out to the cytoplasmic side. Such limitations hinder our understanding of the biology of mRNA export within the context of gene expression and its regulation, and require the innovation of new approaches. A key factor involved in the passage of the transcript through the nuclear pore complex is Nuclear Export Factor 1 (NXF1/Tap). We have performed measurements within individual nuclear pores using super-resolution STED microscopy, a FLIM-FRET approach, as well as single …