Autophagy as a caretaker of nuclear integrity.

Due to their essential functions, dysregulation of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) is strongly associated with numerous human diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer[1]. On a cellular level, longevity of scaffold nucleoporins in post-mitotic cells of both C. elegans and mammals renders them vulnerable to age-related damage, which is associated with an increase in pore leakiness and accumulation of intranuclear aggregates in rat brain cells[2-4]. Thus, understanding the mechanisms which underpin the homeostasis of this complex, as well as other nuclear proteins, is essential. In this review, autophagy-mediated degradation pathways governing nuclear components in yeast will be discussed, with a particular focus on NPCs. Furthermore, the various nuclear degradation mechanisms identified thus far in diverse eukaryotes will also be highlighted. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.