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0This research identifies a physical connection between mitochondria and the nuclear pore complex mediated by the interaction of the proteins RANBP2 and VDAC1. Using advanced imaging and proteomic screens, scientists discovered that this direct contact acts as a metabolic tether essential for efficient energy transfer to the nucleus. Experimental disruption of this link led to a significant drop in nuclear ATP and phosphocreatine levels, which subsequently impaired nuclear phosphorylation and transcriptional regulation. These energetic deficits were found to hinder cellular differentiation in both cardiac and neural tissues. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that this organelle interaction is critical for embryonic development and the maintenance of nuclear energetics in mammals.
References:
Menendez-Montes I, Marin-Vicente C, Mukherjee S, Ahmed MS, Gomez MJ, Anene-Nzelu CG, Lee CJM, Koslowski S, Solmonson A, Tassin T, Ali SR, Pessoa P, Elnwasany A, Lam NT, Thet S, Calvo E, Cardoso AC, Pereira AHM, Xiao F, Wang P, Mohamed A, El-Feky H, Elghamry A, Gancedo-Alonso G, Nguyen NUN, Hsu CC, Westfall AK, DeBerardinis R, Foo RS, Kinter M, Pressé S, Xing C, Szweda L, Aroumougame A, Sanchez-Cabo F, Enriquez JA, Torres M, Vazquez J, Sadek HA. Mitochondria directly interact with the nuclear pore complex. Nature. 2026 Jun 10. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10588-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42271060.
