REEP4 is recruited to the inner nuclear membrane by ELYS and promotes nuclear pore complex formation

Abstract

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.