SummaryThe molecular events that direct nuclear pore complex (NPC) assembly toward nuclear envelopes have been conceptualized in two pathways that occur during mitosis or interphase, respectively. In gametes and embryonic cells, NPCs also occur within stacked cytoplasmic membrane sheets, termed annulate lamellae (AL), which serve as NPC storage for early development. The mechanism of NPC biogenesis at cytoplasmic membranes remains unknown. Here, we show that during Drosophila oogenesis, Nucleoporins condense into different precursor granules that interact and progress into NPCs. Nup358 is a key player that condenses into NPC assembly platforms while its mRNA localizes to their surface in a translation-dependent manner. In concert, Microtubule-dependent transport, the small GTPase Ran and nuclear transport receptors regulate NPC biogenesis in oocytes. We delineate a non-canonical NPC assembly mechanism that relies on Nucleoporin condensates and occurs away from the nucleus under conditions of cell cycle arrest.

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are channels within the nuclear envelope that mediate nucleocytoplasmic transport. NPCs form within the closed nuclear envelope during interphase or assemble concomitantly with nuclear envelope reformation in late stages of mitosis. Both interphase and mitotic NPC biogenesis require coordination of protein complex assembly and membrane deformation. During early stages of mitotic NPC assembly, a seed for new NPCs is established on chromatin, yet the factors connecting the NPC seed to the membrane of the forming nuclear envelope are unknown. Here, we report that the reticulon homology domain protein REEP4 not only localizes to high-curvature membrane of the cytoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum but is also recruited to the inner nuclear membrane by the NPC biogenesis factor ELYS. This ELYS-recruited pool of REEP4 promotes NPC assembly and appears to be particularly important for NPC formation during mitosis. These findings suggest a role for REEP4 in coordinating nuclear envelope reformation with mitotic NPC biogenesis.

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Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are channels within the nuclear envelope that mediate nucleocytoplasmic transport. NPCs assemble either into the closed nuclear envelope during interphase or concomitantly with nuclear envelope reformation during anaphase. Both, interphase and post-mitotic NPC biogenesis require local deformation of membrane. Yet, the factors that control proper membrane remodeling for post-mitotic NPC assembly are unknown. Here, we report that the reticulon homology domain-protein REEP4 localizes not only to high-curvature membrane of the cytoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) but also to the inner nuclear membrane (INM). We show that REEP4 is recruited to the INM by the NPC biogenesis factor ELYS and promotes NPC assembly. REEP4 contributes mainly to anaphase NPC assembly, suggesting that REEP4 has an unexpected role in coordinating nuclear envelope reformation with post-mitotic NPC biogenesis.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is physically connected to the cell nucleus via junctions with the nuclear envelope (NE). These ER-NE junctions are essential for supplying the NE with lipids and transmembrane proteins that are synthesized in the ER. Despite the important role of ER-NE junctions, their biogenesis, architecture and maintenance across the cell cycle has remained elusive. In this study, by combining live cell imaging with quantitative three-dimensional electron microscopy, we systematically elucidated the ultrastructure of ER-NE junctions in mammalian cells. We discovered that ER-NE junctions exhibit a constricted hourglass shape that is different from the junctions within the ER. When ER-NE junctions are newly built during NE assembly at mitotic exit, their morphology resembles ER-ER junctions, but they become constricted starting in telophase. Altogether, our findings imply novel mechanisms that remodel ER-NE junctions and have functional implications for the lipid and protein traffic that are crucial for nuclear function.