Nuclear pore complexes selectively transport cargos across the nuclear envelope. Here, a nuclear transport assay has been developed that allows the movement of single cargo proteins to be followed in real time. A succession of transport substeps is observed, and the NPC is found to be functionally asymmetric to importing cargos. The study provides insight into the mechanism of selective transport through the NPC.
- Alan R. Lowe
- Jake J. Siegel
- Jan T. Liphardt
