Ratcheting mRNA out of the nucleus

Abstract

Export of mature mRNA to the cytoplasm is the culmination of the nuclear portion of eukaryotic gene expression. After transport-competent mature mRNP export complexes are formed in the nucleus, their passage through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) is facilitated by the Mex67:Mtr2 heterodimer. At the NPC cytoplasmic face, mRNP remodeling prevents its return to the nucleus and so functions as a molecular ratchet imposing directionality on transport. In budding yeast, recent work suggests that the DEAD-box helicase Dbp5 remodels mRNPs at the NPC cytoplasmic face by removing Mex67 and that the Dbp5 ATPase is activated by Gle1 and inositol hexaphosphate (IP(6)).