A nuclear Pandora's box: functions of nuclear envelope proteins in cell division

During open mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down. As a result, the nuclear membrane proteins are not intact in the envelope during cell division. The question is, where do these nuclear membrane proteins localize during cell division? In this review article, localization of nuclear membrane proteins during mitosis is highlighted. At the same time, the functional role of nuclear membrane proteins in cell division is discussed. In this context, the evolution of nuclear membrane proteins in land plant species provides unique opportunities for future research. The nucleus is characteristic of eukaryotic cells and nuclear envelope proteins are conserved across the kingdoms. Over the years, the function of these proteins was studied in the intact nuclear envelope. Knowledge regarding the localization and function of nuclear envelope proteins during mitosis, after the nuclear envelope breaks down, is limited. Until recently, the localization of nuclear envelope proteins during mitosis has been observed with the mitotic apparatus. In this context, research in plant cell biology is more advanced compared to non-plant model systems. Although current studies shed light on the localization of nuclear envelope proteins, further experiments are required to determine what, if any, functional role different nuclear envelope proteins play during mitosis. This review will highlight our current knowledge about the role of nuclear envelope proteins and point out the unanswered questions as future direction.