Nucleus and Nuclear Envelope: Methods for Preparation

Mohammed H Jafferali, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Marie Beckman, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Madeleine Kihlmark, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Einar Hallberg, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

Published online: May 2015

DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0002602.pub3

Abstract

The nucleus of eukaryotic cells contains the genome surrounded by a nuclear envelope (NE) consisting of two lipid membranes with embedded nuclear pores and an underlying nuclear lamina. The uniformity in size and density makes it possible to isolate pure intact nuclei at high yields from tissue homogenates by centrifugation through a sucrose cushion. NEs can be prepared from isolated nuclei by enzymatic degradation of their nucleic acid content. The resulting NE preparations contain structurally well‐conserved inner and outer nuclear membranes with attached ribosomes, nuclear pore complexes and nuclear lamina. Reliable methods for preparation of nuclei and NEs play an important role in the successful identification of components and their interacting partners that are located in nuclei and in nuclear subcompartments.

Key Concepts

  • Pure intact nuclei can be isolated at high yields from tissue homogenates, and nuclear envelopes can be prepared from the isolated nuclei.
  • The preparation of pure nuclei is important for the identification of nuclear and subnuclear components and their interacting partners.
  • Animal behaviourists must participate in conservation planning to protect the future of biodiversity.
  • Lipid bilayers provide the fundamental architecture of biological membranes.

Keywords: nucleus; nuclear envelope; nuclear membrane; nuclear pore; protein–protein interactions; MCLIP; proteomics

Figure 1. Flowchart showing the major steps from rat liver homogenate to isolated nuclei and isolated nuclear envelopes (NEs).
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Further Reading

Dauer WT and Worman HJ (2009) The nuclear envelope as a signaling node in development and disease. Developmental Cell 17: 626–638.

Hetzer MW, Walther TC and Mattaj IW (2005) Pushing the envelope: structure, function, and dynamics of the nuclear periphery. Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology 21: 347–380.

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Stewart CL, Roux KJ and Burke B (2007) Blurring the boundary: the nuclear envelope extends its reach. Science 318: 1408–1412.

Worman HJ and Bonne G (2007) “Laminopathies”: a wide spectrum of human diseases. Experimental Cell Research 313: 2121–2133.

Related Sub-Topics:

Cell Compartments and Cellular Organelles | Techniques in Cell Biology | Cell Membranes
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Article Title: Nucleus and Nuclear Envelope: Methods for Preparation
 
How to Cite close
Jafferali, Mohammed H, Beckman, Marie, Kihlmark, Madeleine, and Hallberg, Einar(May 2015) Nucleus and Nuclear Envelope: Methods for Preparation. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0002602.pub3]