The complex organization of eukaryotic cell nucleus (iv): the nuclear envelope

The nuclear envelope (NE), a double membrane structure, separates the nucleoplasm from cytosol. Each of the two membranes of the NE (the inner nuclear membrane, INM and the outer nuclear membrane, ONM) contain a particular protein complement, with specific domains, which accomplish various and critical functions: the lamin and chromatin anchoring at NE, the localization and movement of nucleus within cells, the control of transciption, etc. The nuclear pores complexes (NPCs) of the NE are large and complicated proteic structures, essentially involved in bidirectional transport of molecules between nucleus and cytoplasm. Some nuclear envelope molecular components are subjected to various genetic disorders known as envelopathies, which result in general syndroms, more or less severe.