Pore patterns on nuclear membranes

Abstract

The pore patterns on a large number of nuclear and one non-nuclear membrane have been examined. Important qualitative features of the arrangement of pores can be described by computing a statistical measure, the radial distribution function, of the pore patterns. This measure distinguishes three different pore patterns: 1. 1. Clumped patterns in which pores are found in clusters which are widely separated from one another. 2. 2. Patterns in which there is only a short range inhibitory region surrounding each pore with no evidence of a long range ordering. 3. 3. Patterns in which there is a local ordering in the region surrounding each pore, extending to several times the mean interpore spacing. Physical mechanisms which can lead to each of the observed patterns are discussed.