Ndc1

Ndc1 is a highly conserved integral membrane protein of the nuclear envelope, originally identified in budding yeast as a factor required for proper nuclear division. The protein localizes to the inner nuclear membrane and is associated with both the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and the spindle pole body (SPB). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ndc1 is essential for SPB duplication and for the successful insertion and assembly of NPCs into the nuclear envelope during interphase. It functions as a scaffolding component, coordinating interactions between NPCs and the nuclear envelope and linking NPC biogenesis to SPB maturation.

In metazoans, NDC1 homologs are also involved in NPC assembly and maintenance, underscoring the conservation of this role. Loss or depletion of NDC1 or its homologs leads to defects in NPC number or distribution and can disrupt nuclear transport. The protein is typically predicted to contain multiple transmembrane spans, anchoring it in the nuclear envelope with portions facing the nucleoplasm or the cytoplasm, depending on species.

Despite its essential role, the precise molecular mechanisms and interaction networks of Ndc1/NDC1 vary among organisms and remain an active area of research. NDC1 is often discussed alongside other pore membrane and NE components, in studies of NPC assembly, NE integrity, and cell cycle–coupled nuclear organization.