Structural features of transversal barrier in central channel of nuclear pore complex

The most important entity of the selective behavior of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is considered to be the matter called “barrier,” “meshwork” or “sieve.” This part of NPC has not been well elucidated by using electron microscopy methods to date. In the present study, we demonstrated the presence of a coherent transversal barrier in the central channel of NPC, using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the barrier is located in the middle of the central channel, i.e. at the level where the outer and inner nuclear membranes fuse. The thickness of this layer is evidently different in various NPCs and usually varies between 20 and 30 nm and its diameter is approximately 40 nm. The cytoplasmic and nuclear surfaces of the barrier are roughly parallel and plane. Moreover we suggest that the barrier may not be interrupted by any channel(s), at least not with a diameter above 10 nm. Further various appearances of the central channel with different particles were observed, presumably cargos and karyopherins captured in transit. A different type of central channel barrier with lipid bilayer membrane-like appearance is also discussed.

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► The meshwork in the central channel of nuclear pore complex is visualized.
► This “barrier” shows different thickness (from 20 nm to 30 nm) in different pores.
► Cytoplasmic and nuclear surfaces of this barrier are roughly parallel and plane.
► The barrier is not interrupted by any visible channel(s).