Structure and Dynamic Studies of the Nuclear Pore Complex at the Single-Molecule Level

View/ Open
Issue Date
2008-08-06Author
Dickenson, Nicholas E.
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
236 pages
Type
Dissertation
Degree Level
PH.D.
Discipline
Chemistry
Rights
This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are large macromolecular structures forming the only known direct route across the double bilayer membrane of the nuclear envelope. The NPC structure has been extensively explored in an effort to elucidate the mechanisms by which they control transport. Many of these studies have found the presence of a central mass or plug within the central channel of NPCs, although neither the function nor identity of the central mass were clear. Here, several techniques including electron microscopy, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), and high-resolution near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) are utilized to specifically locate vault ribonucleoproteins to NPCs. This interaction, along with several other results, strongly suggests that vaults represent the central mass of NPCs. A single-molecule transport assay was also developed in order to record the translocation of individual fluorescent dextrans through NPCs. Comparison of the single-molecule dwell times under various conditions led to a better understanding of the specific mechanism controlling the non signal-mediated transport of cargo through NPCs.
Collections
- Chemistry Dissertations and Theses [335]
- Dissertations [4626]
Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.