Fig. 4. Energy support relays for nucleocytoplasmic communication. Mitochondria
clustered around the nucleus generate the majority of ATP required for nuclear
processes. Export of ATP from the mitochondrial intracristal space is
facilitated by near-equilibrium reactions catalyzed by mitochondrial isoforms
of adenylate kinase (AK2), creatine kinase (Mi-CK) and nucleoside
diphosphate kinase (NDPK). Subsequently, high-energy phosphoryls are navigated
through the diffusionally restricted perinuclear space to ATP consumption
sites at the nuclear envelope and inside the nucleus by cytosolic and nuclear
isoforms of AK, CK and NDPK. Interaction and complementation between these
systems secure proper nucleotide ratios at and across the nuclear envelope,
sustaining the high energy of ATP and GTP hydrolysis. For other abbreviations,
see Fig. 3.