Further Observations on the Nuclear Envelope of the Animal Cell

The term pore complex is proposed for approximately cylindrical formations which are observed with the electron microscope to penetrate the nuclear envelope of cells. Cross-sections of the pore complex are somewhat annular in shape, but differ in appearance depending upon the level of the cross-section with respect to the nuclear surface. An explanation is offered for the apparent discrepancy between the width of pores in sections perpendicular to the nuclear envelope and the width of cross-sections of the pore complex in tangential sections. Channels associated with the pore complex extend deep into the nucleus. Although crescents and spirals of ribonucleoprotein particles were often seen in the immediate vicinity of the outer nuclear membrane, direct association with the pore complex was not observed. Many examples were found of pores that were not covered by a continuous membrane although the possibility of such a covering in some cases is not precluded.