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Nucleolus
NucleolusThe nucleolus is by far the most easily recognized substructure in the eukaryotic nucleus , and can be seen by using a variety of dyes as well as by phase contrast microscopy. Indeed, in budding yeast, the single nucleolus takes up nearly half of the nucleus. Cells from other species often have multiple nucleoli. The nucleolus is a ribosome factory, composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein . At the nucleolus, a long ribosomal RNA (rRNA) precursor molecule is transcribed from DNA, processed into three mature RNAs, and packaged together with specific proteins to make the large and small ribosomal subunits. Once the subunits have been assembled, they are transported out of the nucleolus to the cytoplasm for use in translation (protein synthesis). Nucleoli are not static structures. They disassemble during mitosis and reform in early G1 phase. Nucleolar formation does not cause expression of rRNA genes . Rather, nucleoli are the result of rRNA transcription and processing. Viewed in the electron microscope, a nucleolus has two distinct parts: the fibrillar component and the granular component. The fibrillar component can be subdivided into two compartments: the dense fibrillar component and the fibrillar center. Fibrillar centers contain large amounts of RNA polymerase I, which transcribes rRNA. Transcription of rRNA genes is thought to occur at the interface between the dense fibrillar component and the fibrillar center. Later stages of ribosome assembly take place in the granular component. Human chromosomes contain five nucleolar organizer regions (called NORs), located on the short arms of the chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22. In humans, each NOR contains approximately one hundred tandemly repeated rRNA gene copies. The NORs of different chromosomes typically come together in interphase. Thus, a single nucleolus is often made up of rRNA genes from two or more different NORs. Some species have only a single NOR-bearing chromosome and thus a single nucleolus. In addition to the well-established function of nucleoli in ribosome assembly, recent evidence suggests that nucleoli are also involved in several other cellular processes, including assembly and modification of various small ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), sequestration of important cell-cycle regulatory proteins, export of other nonribosomal RNAs, and control of cellular senescence or aging. see also Chromosome, Eukaryotic; Nuclear Transport; Nucleus; Ribosome; RNA; Transcription A. Gregory Matera BibliographyOlson, M.O., M. Dundr, and A. Szebeni. "The Nucleolus: An Old Factory with Unexpected Capabilities." Trends in Cell Biology (2000) 10: 189-196. Visintin, R., and A. Amon. "The Nucleolus: The Magician's Hat for Cell Cycle Tricks." Current Opinions in Cell Biology (2000) 12: 372-377. |
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Cite this article
Matera, A. Gregory. "Nucleolus." Biology. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. Matera, A. Gregory. "Nucleolus." Biology. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3400700309.html Matera, A. Gregory. "Nucleolus." Biology. 2002. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3400700309.html |
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nucleolus
nucleolus A small dense round body within the nucleus of a nondividing eukaryotic cell that is the site of ribosome assembly. It forms around the nucleolar organizer, which encodes most of the segments of ribosomal RNA. Ribosomal proteins migrate to the nucleolus from their assembly sites in the cytoplasm and are packaged into ribonucleoproteins, which then return to the cytoplasm where they become mature ribosome particles.
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"nucleolus." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-nucleolus.html "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-nucleolus.html |
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nucleolus
nucleolus A clearly defined, often spherical area of the eukaryotic nucleus, composed of densely packed fibrils and granules. Its composition is similar to that of chromatin, except that it is very rich in RNA and protein. It is the site of the synthesis of ribosomal RNA, which forms a major part of ribosomes. The assembly of ribosomes starts in the nucleolus, but is completed in the cytoplasm.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-nucleolus.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-nucleolus.html |
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nucleolus
nu·cle·o·lus / n(y)oōˈklēələs/ • n. (pl. -li / -ˌlī; -ˌlē/ ) Biol. a small dense spherical structure in the nucleus of a cell during interphase. DERIVATIVES: nu·cle·o·lar / -lər/ adj. |
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"nucleolus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "nucleolus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-nucleolus.html "nucleolus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-nucleolus.html |
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nucleolus
nucleolus A clearly defined, often spherical area of the eukaryotic nucleus, composed of densely packed fibrils and granules. Its composition is similar to that of chromatin, except that it is very rich in RNA and protein. It is the site of origin of ribosomes.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-nucleolus.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-nucleolus.html |
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nucleolus
nucleolus (new-kli-oh-lŭs) n. (pl. nucleoli) a dense spherical structure within the cell nucleus that disappears during cell division. The nucleolus contains RNA for the synthesis of ribosomes.
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"nucleolus." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-nucleolus.html "nucleolus." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-nucleolus.html |
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nucleolus
nucleolus see cell . |
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"nucleolus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "nucleolus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-nucleolu.html "nucleolus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-nucleolu.html |
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