Nucleoporin 188kDa (NUP188)

The nucleoporins are a family of proteins which are the constituent building blocks of the nuclear pore complex. The nuclear pore complex is a massive structure that extends across the nuclear envelope, forming a gateway that regulates the flow of macromolecules between the cell nucleus and the cytoplasm. Nucleoporins, a family of 50 to 100 proteins, are the main components of the nuclear pore complex in eukaryotic cells. Nuclear pores in turn allow the transport of water-soluble molecules across the nuclear envelope. Transport of macromolecules between the cytoplasm and nucleus occurs through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) embedded in the nuclear envelope. NPCs are composed of subcomplexes, and NUP188 is part of one such subcomplex.