Genome-wide maps of Nup98 binding in human embryonic stem cells, neural progenitors, neuron cells and lung fibroblasts. Homo sapiens

Recent evidence suggests that nucleoporins, well known components that control nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking, have wide-ranging functions in developmental gene regulation that potentially extend beyond their role in nuclear transport. Whether the unexpected role of nuclear pore proteins in transcription regulation, which initially has been described in fungi and flies, also applies to human cells is unknown. Here we show at a genome-wide level that the nuclear pore protein NUP98 associates with developmentally regulated genes active during human embryonic stem cell differentiation. Overall design: Examination of Nup98 binding using multiple Nup98 antibodies in four cell types, three of which are related by direct lineage.

最新研究证据表明，作为调控核质运输（nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking）的经典组分，核孔蛋白（nucleoporins）在发育基因调控中具有广泛功能，其作用范畴可能远超核运输（nuclear transport）本身的功能边界。此前仅在真菌（fungi）和果蝇（flies）中报道过核孔蛋白在转录调控中的意外功能，而该功能是否同样存在于人类细胞中，目前仍未明确。本研究通过全基因组（genome-wide）水平的实验分析，证实核孔蛋白NUP98可与人类胚胎干细胞分化过程中活跃的发育调控基因相结合。实验设计概览：在4种细胞类型中使用多种抗NUP98抗体检测NUP98的结合位点，其中3种细胞类型具有直接的细胞谱系亲缘关系。