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Main Authors: Matsuda, Atsushi, Mofrad, Mohammad R. K.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.07959
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author Matsuda, Atsushi
Mofrad, Mohammad R. K.
author_facet Matsuda, Atsushi
Mofrad, Mohammad R. K.
contents Recent studies have suggested that the Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) plays a significant role in mechanotransduction. When a force is exerted, the NPC's diameter widens, leading to an increased molecular flux into the nucleus. In this study, we sought to further explore this phenomenon and quantitativelly assess the impact of pore dilation on molecular transport through the NPC. Utilizing the scaling theory of polymers, we developed a theoretical model to examine the relationship between pore size and the molecular transport rate. Our model posits that the mesh structure inside the pore, formed by FG-Nups, significantly influences the transport rate. Consequently, we propose that the transport rate is exponentially related to the pore size. To validate our model, we conducted extensive Brownian dynamics simulations. Our results demonstrated that the model accurately represents the transport dynamics except for exceptionally small molecules. For these molecules, the local mesh structure becomes less significant, and instead, they perceive the global structure of the pore. We also identified a critical threshold value, which allows for an estimation of whether a given molecule falls within the scope of our model. Our findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of molecular transport in the NPC and pave the way for future research on the NPC's role in mechanotransduction.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2307_07959
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Role of Pore Dilation in Molecular Transport through the Nuclear Pore Complex: Insights from Polymer Scaling Theory
Matsuda, Atsushi
Mofrad, Mohammad R. K.
Biological Physics
Recent studies have suggested that the Nuclear Pore Complex (NPC) plays a significant role in mechanotransduction. When a force is exerted, the NPC's diameter widens, leading to an increased molecular flux into the nucleus. In this study, we sought to further explore this phenomenon and quantitativelly assess the impact of pore dilation on molecular transport through the NPC. Utilizing the scaling theory of polymers, we developed a theoretical model to examine the relationship between pore size and the molecular transport rate. Our model posits that the mesh structure inside the pore, formed by FG-Nups, significantly influences the transport rate. Consequently, we propose that the transport rate is exponentially related to the pore size. To validate our model, we conducted extensive Brownian dynamics simulations. Our results demonstrated that the model accurately represents the transport dynamics except for exceptionally small molecules. For these molecules, the local mesh structure becomes less significant, and instead, they perceive the global structure of the pore. We also identified a critical threshold value, which allows for an estimation of whether a given molecule falls within the scope of our model. Our findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of molecular transport in the NPC and pave the way for future research on the NPC's role in mechanotransduction.
title Role of Pore Dilation in Molecular Transport through the Nuclear Pore Complex: Insights from Polymer Scaling Theory
topic Biological Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.07959