Nature Paper Identifies Direct Physical Link Between Mitochondrial and Nuclear Pore Proteins
Menendez-Montes et al. report that RANBP2 on nuclear pores interacts with VDAC1 on mitochondria to move energy metabolites into the nucleus during cell differentiation.
link.springer.comMenendez-Montes et al. identified a physical interaction between RANBP2, a protein component of the nuclear pore, and VDAC1, a protein on the outer mitochondrial membrane. The interaction enables direct transfer of energy-carrying metabolites from mitochondria to the nucleus.
@Nature reported that this transfer supports the energy demands of cell differentiation, a process essential in embryonic development. Core nuclear activities such as gene transcription and DNA replication require substantial energy, while mitochondria generate most energy-carrying molecules. The researchers published their findings in Nature in 2026.
1038/s41586-026-10588-3. 1038/d41586-026-01587-5 and summarizes the work. The study shows that mitochondria can position themselves at nuclear pores to supply metabolites without relying solely on diffusion through the cytosol.
This arrangement coordinates metabolite delivery with the timing of differentiation events during development.
