A dedicated cytoplasmic container collects extrachromosomal DNA away from the mammalian nucleus
Open access
Date
2023-10-01Type
- Journal Article
Abstract
Expression from transfected plasmid DNA is generally transient, but it is unclear what process terminates it. We show that DNA entering mammalian cells is rapidly surrounded by a double membrane in the cytoplasm, in some cases after leaving the nucleus. This cytoplasmic container, termed exclusome, frequently also contains extrachromosomal telomeric DNA, and is maintained by the cell over several division cycles. The exclusome envelope contains endoplasmic reticulum proteins and the inner-nuclear membrane proteins Lap2β and Emerin, but differs from the nuclear envelope by its fenestrations and the absence of the Lamin B Receptor and nuclear pore complexes. Reduction of exclusome frequency upon overexpressing Emerin's LEM-domain suggests a role for Emerin in plasmid DNA compartmentalization. Thus, cells distinguish extrachromosomal DNA and chromosomes and wrap them into similar yet distinct envelopes keeping the former in the exclusome but the latter in the nucleus, where transcription occurs. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000634153Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Molecular Biology of the CellVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
American Society for Cell BiologyFunding
172908 - Responses of mammalian cells to DNA transfection (SNF)
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