Mechanisms for assembly of the nucleoplasmic reticulum

The nuclear envelope consists of an outer membrane connected to the endoplasmic reticulum, an inner membrane facing the nucleoplasm and a perinuclear space separating the two bilayers. The inner and outer nuclear membranes are physically connected at nuclear pore complexes that mediate selective communication and transfer of materials between the cytoplasm and nucleus. The spherical shape of the nuclear envelope is maintained by counterbalancing internal and external forces applied by cyto- and nucleo-skeletal networks, and the nuclear lamina and chromatin that underly the inner nuclear membrane. Despite its apparent rigidity, the nuclear envelope can invaginate to form an intranuclear membrane network termed the nucleoplasmic reticulum (NR) consisting of Type-I NR contiguous with the inner nuclear membrane and Type-II NR containing both the inner and outer nuclear membranes. The NR extends deep into the nuclear interior potentially facilitating communication and exchanges between the nuclear interior and the cytoplasm. This review details the evidence that NR intrusions that regulate cytoplasmic communication and genome maintenance are the result of a dynamic interplay between membrane biogenesis and remodelling, and physical forces exerted on the nuclear lamina derived from the cyto- and nucleo-skeletal networks.