NUP50 (Nucleoporin 50), also known as NPHS5 or nuclear pore complex protein Nup50. is a key component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), a large protein assembly embedded in the nuclear envelope that regulates nucleocytoplasmic transport. It belongs to the nucleoporin family, which facilitates selective trafficking of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Structurally, NUP50 contains an N-terminal α-helical domain, a central FG (phenylalanine-glycine) repeat region, and a C-terminal Ran-binding domain. These features enable interactions with transport receptors (e.g., importins/exportins) and the small GTPase Ran, critical for directing cargo dissociation or binding during transport cycles.
Functionally, NUP50 plays roles in mRNA export, post-mitotic nuclear pore assembly, and chromatin organization. It also participates in nuclear import by promoting the release of importin α from cargo proteins, ensuring efficient recycling of transport factors. Dysregulation of NUP50 has been linked to human diseases, including premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and glomerulopathies, due to mutations affecting its interactions with other nucleoporins or transport machinery.
NUP50 antibodies are widely used tools in research to study NPC architecture, nuclear transport mechanisms, and disease-related alterations. These antibodies, often targeting specific domains (e.g., FG repeats or C-terminal regions), enable applications such as immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation. Commercial clones (e.g., H-9 by Proteintech or E-6 by Santa Cruz) vary in host species (mouse, rabbit) and validation standards, requiring careful selection based on experimental needs. Recent studies also explore NUP50's role in cancer, neurodegeneration, and reproductive disorders, highlighting its broader biomedical relevance.