Nuclear localization signals for four distinct karyopherin-β nuclear import systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 468 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Soniat ◽  
Yuh Min Chook

The Karyopherin-β family of proteins mediates nuclear transport of macromolecules. Nuclear versus cytoplasmic localization of proteins is often suggested by the presence of NLSs (nuclear localization signals) or NESs (nuclear export signals). Import-Karyopherin-βs or Importins bind to NLSs in their protein cargos to transport them through nuclear pore complexes into the nucleus. Until recently, only two classes of NLS had been biochemically and structurally characterized: the classical NLS, which is recognized by the Importin-α/β heterodimer and the PY-NLS (proline–tyrosine NLS), which is recognized by Karyopherin-β2 or Transportin-1. Structures of two other Karyopherin-βs, Kap121 and Transportin-SR2, in complex with their respective cargos were reported for the first time recently, revealing two new distinct classes of NLSs. The present paper briefly describes the classical NLS, reviews recent literature on the PY-NLS and provides in-depth reviews of the two newly discovered classes of NLSs that bind Kap121p and Transportin-SR respectively.

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 4657-4668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Chao Zhang ◽  
Neal Satterly ◽  
Beatriz M. A. Fontoura ◽  
Yuh Min Chook

In human cells, the mRNA export factor NXF1 resides in the nucleoplasm and at nuclear pore complexes. Karyopherin β2 or transportin recognizes a proline–tyrosine nuclear localization signal (PY-NLS) in the N-terminal tail of NXF1 and imports it into the nucleus. Here biochemical and cellular studies to understand the energetic organization of the NXF1 PY-NLS reveal unexpected redundancy in the nuclear import pathways used by NXF1. Human NXF1 can be imported via importin β, karyopherin β2, importin 4, importin 11, and importin α. Two NLS epitopes within the N-terminal tail, an N-terminal basic segment and a C-terminal R-X2-5-P-Y motif, provide the majority of binding energy for all five karyopherins. Mutation of both NLS epitopes abolishes binding to the karyopherins, mislocalized NXF1 to the cytoplasm, and significantly compromised its mRNA export function. The understanding of how different karyopherins recognize human NXF1, the examination of NXF1 sequences from divergent eukaryotes, and the interactions of NXF1 homologues with various karyopherins reveals the evolutionary development of redundant NLSs in NXF1 of higher eukaryotes. Redundancy of nuclear import pathways for NXF1 increases progressively from fungi to nematodes and insects to chordates, potentially paralleling the increasing complexity in mRNA export regulation and the evolution of new nuclear functions for NXF1.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga M. Lisitsyna ◽  
Margarita A. Kurnaeva ◽  
Eugene A. Arifulin ◽  
Maria Y. Shubina ◽  
Yana R. Musinova ◽  
...  

AbstractThe origin of the selective nuclear protein import machinery, which consists of nuclear pore complexes and adaptor molecules interacting with the nuclear localization signals (NLSs) of cargo molecules, was one of the most important events in the evolution of the eukaryotic cell. How the proteins were selected for import into the forming nuclei remains an open question. Here, we demonstrate that functional NLSs may be integrated inside nucleotide-binding domains of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins and may co-evolve with these domains. We propose that the pre-existence of NLSs inside prokaryotic proteins dictated, at least partially, the nuclear proteome composition.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankita Aggarwal ◽  
Devendra K. Agrawal

Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of macromolecules is a well-controlled process involving importins and exportins. These karyopherins recognize and bind to receptor-mediated intracellular signals through specific signal sequences that are present on cargo proteins and transport into and out of the nucleus through nuclear pore complexes. Nuclear localization signals (NLS) present on cargo molecules to be imported while nuclear export signals (NES) on the molecules to be exported are recognized by importins and exportins, respectively. The classical NLS are found on many transcription factors and molecules that are involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. In addition, several immune modulators, including corticosteroids and vitamin D, elicit their cellular responses by regulating the expression and activity of importin molecules. In this review article, we provide a comprehensive list of importin and exportin molecules and their specific cargo that shuttled between cytoplasm and the nucleus. We also critically review the role and regulation of specific importin and exportin involved in the transport of activated transcription factors in allergic diseases, the underlying molecular mechanisms, and the potential target sites for developing better therapeutic approaches.


1998 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Matunis ◽  
Jian Wu ◽  
Günter Blobel

RanGAP1 is the GTPase-activating protein for Ran, a small ras-like GTPase involved in regulating nucleocytoplasmic transport. In vertebrates, RanGAP1 is present in two forms: one that is cytoplasmic, and another that is concentrated at the cytoplasmic fibers of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). The NPC-associated form of RanGAP1 is covalently modified by the small ubiquitin-like protein, SUMO-1, and we have recently proposed that SUMO-1 modification functions to target RanGAP1 to the NPC. Here, we identify the domain of RanGAP1 that specifies SUMO-1 modification and demonstrate that mutations in this domain that inhibit modification also inhibit targeting to the NPC. Targeting of a heterologous protein to the NPC depended on determinants specifying SUMO-1 modification and also on additional determinants in the COOH-terminal domain of RanGAP1. SUMO-1 modification and these additional determinants were found to specify interaction between the COOH-terminal domain of RanGAP1 and a region of the nucleoporin, Nup358, between Ran-binding domains three and four. Together, these findings indicate that SUMO-1 modification targets RanGAP1 to the NPC by exposing, or creating, a Nup358 binding site in the COOH-terminal domain of RanGAP1. Surprisingly, the COOH-terminal domain of RanGAP1 was also found to harbor a nuclear localization signal. This nuclear localization signal, and the presence of nine leucine-rich nuclear export signal motifs, suggests that RanGAP1 may shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.


2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (10) ◽  
pp. 1651-1659 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.D. Allen ◽  
J.M. Cronshaw ◽  
S. Bagley ◽  
E. Kiseleva ◽  
M.W. Goldberg

The enclosure of nuclear contents in eukaryotes means that cells require sites in the boundary that mediate exchange of material between nucleus and cytoplasm. These sites, termed nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), number 100–200 in yeast, a few thousand in mammalian cells and approximately 50 million in the giant nuclei of amphibian oocytes. NPCs are large (125 MDa) macromolecular complexes that comprise 50–100 different proteins in vertebrates. In spite of their size and complex structure, NPCs undergo complete breakdown and reformation at cell division. Transport through NPCs can be rapid (estimated at several hundred molecules/pore/second) and accommodates both passive diffusion of relatively small molecules, and active transport of complexes up to several megadaltons in molecular mass. Each pore can facilitate both import and export. The two processes apparently involve multiple pathways for different cargoes, and their transport signals, transport receptors and adapters, and the molecules (and their regulators) that underpin the transport mechanisms. Over the past few years there has been an increasing interest in the pore complex: structural studies have been followed by elucidation of the biochemical aspects of nuclear import, and subsequent investigations into nuclear export. The current challenge is to understand the interactions between the structural elements of the pore complex and the mechanisms that drive the physical processes of translocation through it.


2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2445-2457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaozhou Pan ◽  
Paul Roberts ◽  
Yan Chen ◽  
Erik Kvam ◽  
Natalyia Shulga ◽  
...  

Vac8p is a vacuolar membrane protein that is required for efficient vacuole inheritance and fusion, cytosol-to-vacuole targeting, and sporulation. By analogy to other armadillo domain proteins, including β-catenin and importin α, we hypothesize that Vac8p docks various factors at the vacuole membrane. Two-hybrid and copurfication assays demonstrated that Vac8p does form complexes with multiple binding partners, including Apg13p, Vab2p, and Nvj1p. Here we describe the surprising role of Vac8p-Nvj1p complexes in the formation of nucleus–vacuole (NV) junctions. Nvj1p is an integral membrane protein of the nuclear envelope and interacts with Vac8p in the cytosol through its C-terminal 40–60 amino acids (aa). Nvj1p green fluorescent protein (GFP) concentrated in small patches or rafts at sites of close contact between the nucleus and one or more vacuoles. Previously, we showed that Vac8p-GFP concentrated in intervacuole rafts, where is it likely to facilitate vacuole-vacuole fusion, and in “orphan” rafts at the edges of vacuole clusters. Orphan rafts of Vac8p red-sifted GFP (YFP) colocalize at sites of NV junctions with Nvj1p blue-sifted GFP (CFP). GFP-tagged nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) were excluded from NV junctions. In vac8-Δ cells, Nvj1p-GFP generally failed to concentrate into rafts and, instead, encircled the nucleus. NV junctions were absent in both nvj1-Δ andvac8-Δ cells. Overexpression of Nvj1p caused the profound proliferation of NV junctions. We conclude that Vac8p and Nvj1p are necessary components of a novel interorganelle junction apparatus.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 1155-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Forler ◽  
Gwénaël Rabut ◽  
Francesca D. Ciccarelli ◽  
Andrea Herold ◽  
Thomas Köcher ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Metazoan NXF1-p15 heterodimers promote the nuclear export of bulk mRNA across nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). In vitro, NXF1-p15 forms a stable complex with the nucleoporin RanBP2/Nup358, a component of the cytoplasmic filaments of the NPC, suggesting a role for this nucleoporin in mRNA export. We show that depletion of RanBP2 from Drosophila cells inhibits proliferation and mRNA export. Concomitantly, the localization of NXF1 at the NPC is strongly reduced and a significant fraction of this normally nuclear protein is detected in the cytoplasm. Under the same conditions, the steady-state subcellular localization of other nuclear or cytoplasmic proteins and CRM1-mediated protein export are not detectably affected, indicating that the release of NXF1 into the cytoplasm and the inhibition of mRNA export are not due to a general defect in NPC function. The specific role of RanBP2 in the recruitment of NXF1 to the NPC is highlighted by the observation that depletion of CAN/Nup214 also inhibits cell proliferation and mRNA export but does not affect NXF1 localization. Our results indicate that RanBP2 provides a major binding site for NXF1 at the cytoplasmic filaments of the NPC, thereby restricting its diffusion in the cytoplasm after NPC translocation. In RanBP2-depleted cells, NXF1 diffuses freely through the cytoplasm. Consequently, the nuclear levels of the protein decrease and export of bulk mRNA is impaired.


2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 5708-5720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Kuersten ◽  
Gert-Jan Arts ◽  
Tobias C. Walther ◽  
Ludwig Englmeier ◽  
Iain W. Mattaj

ABSTRACT Vertebrate tRNA export receptor exportin-t (Xpo-t) binds to RanGTP and mature tRNAs cooperatively to form a nuclear export complex. Xpo-t shuttles bidirectionally through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) but is mainly nuclear at steady state. The steady-state distribution of Xpo-t is shown to depend on its interaction with RanGTP. Two distinct Xpo-t NPC interaction domains that bind differentially to peripherally localized nucleoporins in vitro are identified. The N terminus binds to both Nup153 and RanBP2/Nup358 in a RanGTP-dependent manner, while the C terminus binds to CAN/Nup214 independently of Ran. We propose that these interactions increase the concentration of tRNA export complexes and of empty Xpo-t in the vicinity of NPCs and thus increase the efficiency of the Xpo-t transport cycle.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (17) ◽  
pp. 2742-2756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biplab Paul ◽  
Ben Montpetit

Many protein factors are required for mRNA biogenesis and nuclear export, which are central to the eukaryotic gene expression program. It is unclear, however, whether all factors have been identified. Here we report on a screen of >1000 essential gene mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for defects in mRNA processing and export, identifying 26 mutants with defects in this process. Single-molecule FISH data showed that the majority of these mutants accumulated mRNA within specific regions of the nucleus, which included 1) mRNAs within the nucleolus when nucleocytoplasmic transport, rRNA biogenesis, or RNA processing and surveillance was disrupted, 2) the buildup of mRNAs near transcription sites in 3′-end processing and chromosome segregation mutants, and 3) transcripts being enriched near nuclear pore complexes when components of the mRNA export machinery were mutated. These data show that alterations to various nuclear processes lead to the retention of mRNAs at discrete locations within the nucleus.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasilisa Aksenova ◽  
Hang Noh Lee ◽  
Alexandra Smith ◽  
Shane Chen ◽  
Prasanna Bhat ◽  
...  

AbstractNuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are important for many processes beyond nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, including protein modification, chromatin remodeling, transcription, mRNA processing and mRNA export. The multi-faceted nature of NPCs and the slow turnover of their components has made it difficult to understand the role of basket nucleoporins (Nup153, Nup50 and Tpr) in these diverse processes. To address this question, we used anAuxin-InducedDegron (AID) system to distinguish roles of basket nucleoporins: Loss of individual nucleoporins caused distinct alteration in patterns of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and gene expression. Importantly, Tpr elimination caused rapid and pronounced changes in transcriptomic profiles within two hours of auxin addition. These changes were dissimilar to shifts observed after loss of Nup153 or Nup50, but closely related to changes after depletion of mRNA export receptor NXF1 or the GANP subunit of the TRanscription-EXport-2 (TREX-2) mRNA export complex. Moreover, GANP association to NPCs was specifically disrupted upon TPR depletion. Together, our findings demonstrate a unique and pivotal role of Tpr in regulating gene expression through GANP- and/or NXF1-dependent mRNA nuclear export.


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