On the edge: how nuclear pore complexes rule genome stability

Abstract

Nuclear organization has emerged as a critical layer in the coordination of DNA repair activities. Distinct types of DNA lesions have notably been shown to relocate at the vicinity of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), where specific repair pathways are favored, ultimately safeguarding genome integrity. Here, we review the most recent progress in this field, notably highlighting the increasingly diverse types of DNA structures undergoing repositioning, and the signaling pathways involved. We further discuss our growing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the choice of repair pathways at NPCs, and their conservation — or divergences. Intriguingly, a series of recent findings suggest that DNA metabolism may be coupled to NPC biogenesis and specialization, challenging our initial vision of these processes.