scholarly journals Simple kinetic relationships and nonspecific competition govern nuclear import rates in vivo

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin L. Timney ◽  
Jaclyn Tetenbaum-Novatt ◽  
Diana S. Agate ◽  
Rosemary Williams ◽  
Wenzhu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Cytoplasmic Proteins

Many cargoes destined for nuclear import carry nuclear localization signals that are recognized by karyopherins (Kaps). We present methods to quantitate import rates and measure Kap and cargo concentrations in single yeast cells in vivo, providing new insights into import kinetics. By systematically manipulating the amounts, types, and affinities of Kaps and cargos, we show that import rates in vivo are simply governed by the concentrations of Kaps and their cargo and the affinity between them. These rates fit to a straightforward pump–leak model for the import process. Unexpectedly, we deduced that the main limiting factor for import is the poor ability of Kaps and cargos to find each other in the cytoplasm in a background of overwhelming nonspecific competition, rather than other more obvious candidates such as the nuclear pore complex and Ran. It is likely that most of every import round is taken up by Kaps and nuclear localization signals sampling other cytoplasmic proteins as they locate each other in the cytoplasm.

scholarly journals Nuclear Import of the Retrotransposon Tf1 Is Governed by a Nuclear Localization Signal That Possesses a Unique Requirement for the FXFG Nuclear Pore Factor Nup124p

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (20) ◽  
pp. 7798-7812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Van-Dinh Dang ◽  
Henry L. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Heterologous Protein ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Surprising Result ◽  
Gag Protein ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals

ABSTRACT Retroviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus, that infect nondividing cells generate integration precursors that must cross the nuclear envelope to reach the host genome. As a model for retroviruses, we investigated the nuclear entry of Tf1, a long-terminal-repeat-containing retrotransposon of the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. Because the nuclear envelope of yeasts remains intact throughout the cell cycle, components of Tf1 must be transported through the envelope before integration can occur. The nuclear localization of the Gag protein of Tf1 is different from that of other proteins tested in that it has a specific requirement for the FXFG nuclear pore factor, Nup124p. Using extensive mutagenesis, we found that Gag contained three nuclear localization signals (NLSs) which, when included individually in a heterologous protein, were sufficient to direct nuclear import. In the context of the intact transposon, mutations in the NLS that mapped to the first 10 amino acid residues of Gag significantly impaired Tf1 retrotransposition and abolished nuclear localization of Gag. Interestingly, this NLS activity in the heterologous protein was specifically dependent upon the presence of Nup124p. Deletion analysis of heterologous proteins revealed the surprising result that the residues in Gag with the NLS activity were independent from the residues that conveyed the requirement for Nup124p. In fact, a fragment of Gag that lacked NLS activity, residues 10 to 30, when fused to a heterologous protein, was sufficient to cause the classical NLS of simian virus 40 to require Nup124p for nuclear import. Within the context of the current understanding of nuclear import, these results represent the novel case of a short amino acid sequence that specifies the need for a particular nuclear pore complex protein.

Carrier-Independent Nuclear Import of the Transcription Factor PU.1.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 3561-3561
Author(s):  
Nabeel R. Yaseen ◽  
Akiko Takeda ◽  
Reza Nazari ◽  
Helen Shio ◽  
Gunter Blobel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Permeabilized Cells ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
Ets Family ◽  
Ets Domain ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient

Abstract PU.1 is a transcription factor of the Ets family with important functions in hematopoietic cell differentiation. Using GFP-PU.1 fusions, we show that the Ets DNA-binding domain of PU.1 is necessary and sufficient for its nuclear localization. Fluorescence and ultrastructural nuclear import assays showed that PU.1 nuclear import requires energy but not soluble carriers. PU.1 interacted with the FG repeats of nucleoporins Nup62 and Nup153. The binding of PU.1 to Nup153, but not to Nup62, dramatically increased in the presence of RanGMPPNP, indicating the formation of a PU.1/RanGTP/Nup153 complex. The Ets domain accounted for the bulk of the interaction of PU.1 with Nup153 and RanGMPPNP. Since Nup62 is located close to the midplane of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) while Nup153 is at its nuclear side, these findings suggest a model whereby RanGTP propels PU.1 towards the nuclear side of the NPC by increasing its affinity for Nup153. This notion was confirmed by ultrastructural studies using gold-labeled PU.1 in permeabilized cells.

scholarly journals A DNA-origami nuclear pore mimic reveals nuclear entry mechanisms of HIV-1 capsid

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Shen ◽  
Chaoyi Xu ◽  
Sooin Jang ◽  
Qiancheng Xiong ◽  
Swapnil C. Devarkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Dna Origami ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Entry ◽  
Cellular Factors ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1

SummaryThe capsid of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) plays a pivotal role in viral nuclear import, but the mechanism by which the viral core passages the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is poorly understood. Here, we use DNA-origami mimics of the NPC, termed NuPODs (NucleoPorins Organized by DNA), to reveal the mechanistic underpinnings of HIV-1 capsid nuclear entry. We found that trimeric interface formed via three capsid protein hexamers is targeted by a triple-arginine (RRR) motif but not the canonical phenylalanine-glycine (FG) motif of NUP153. As NUP153 is located on the nuclear face of the NPC, this result implies that the assembled capsid must cross the NPC in vivo. This hypothesis is corroborated by our observations of tubular capsid assemblies penetrating through NUP153 NuPODs. NUP153 prefers to bind highly curved capsid assemblies including those found at the tips of viral cores, thereby facilitating capsid insertion into the NPC. Furthermore, a balance of capsid stabilization by NUP153 and deformation by CPSF6, along with other cellular factors, may allow for the intact capsid to pass NPCs of various sizes. The NuPOD system serves as a unique tool for unraveling the previously elusive mechanisms of nuclear import of HIV-1 and other viruses.

scholarly journals The Nup358-RanGAP Complex Is Required for Efficient Importin α/β-dependent Nuclear Import

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 2300-2310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia Hutten ◽  
Annette Flotho ◽  
Frauke Melchior ◽  
Ralph H. Kehlenbach
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Transport Reaction ◽  
Importin Α

In vertebrate cells, the nucleoporin Nup358/RanBP2 is a major component of the filaments that emanate from the nuclear pore complex into the cytoplasm. Nup358 forms a complex with SUMOylated RanGAP1, the GTPase activating protein for Ran. RanGAP1 plays a pivotal role in the establishment of a RanGTP gradient across the nuclear envelope and, hence, in the majority of nucleocytoplasmic transport pathways. Here, we investigate the roles of the Nup358-RanGAP1 complex and of soluble RanGAP1 in nuclear protein transport, combining in vivo and in vitro approaches. Depletion of Nup358 by RNA interference led to a clear reduction of importin α/β-dependent nuclear import of various reporter proteins. In vitro, transport could be partially restored by the addition of importin β, RanBP1, and/or RanGAP1 to the transport reaction. In intact Nup358-depleted cells, overexpression of importin β strongly stimulated nuclear import, demonstrating that the transport receptor is the most rate-limiting factor at reduced Nup358-concentrations. As an alternative approach, we used antibody-inhibition experiments. Antibodies against RanGAP1 inhibited the enzymatic activity of soluble and nuclear pore–associated RanGAP1, as well as nuclear import and export. Although export could be fully restored by soluble RanGAP, import was only partially rescued. Together, these data suggest a dual function of the Nup358-RanGAP1 complex as a coordinator of importin β recycling and reformation of novel import complexes.

scholarly journals Evolutionary development of redundant nuclear localization signals in the mRNA export factor NXF1

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 4657-4668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Chao Zhang ◽  
Neal Satterly ◽  
Beatriz M. A. Fontoura ◽  
Yuh Min Chook
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Evolutionary Development ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Basic Segment ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Pore Complexes

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.

scholarly journals The N-terminus of fission yeast DNA polymerase alpha contains a basic pentapeptide that acts in vivo as a nuclear localization signal.

1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 1697-1705 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Bouvier ◽  
G Baldacci
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Dna Polymerase ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Terminal Sequence ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Dna Polymerase Alpha ◽  
Localization Signal ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient

The N-terminal sequence of the catalytic subunit of fission yeast DNA polymerase alpha (pol alpha) contains two putative nuclear localization signals (NLS). To check the functionality of these signals in vivo, the N-terminal sequence was experimentally divided into three amino acid blocks, two of which contain a distinct presumptive NLS. Each block was deleted, either individually or in combination with one of the two others. The deleted gene products were expressed in fission yeast, and assayed by indirect immunofluorescence for their aptitude to localize to the cell nucleus. Block II, which contains the putative NLS pentapeptide 97RKRKK, was both necessary and sufficient to promote nuclear import of pol alpha, as well as of a pyruvate kinase fusion protein. Precise excision of the NLS pentapeptide from block II inhibited the nuclear import of pol alpha, thus confirming the role of this sequence as the functional NLS of the fission yeast enzyme.

scholarly journals The L2 Minor Capsid Protein of Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus Type 11 Interacts with Host Nuclear Import Receptors and Viral DNA

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (16) ◽  
pp. 8259-8262 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bordeaux ◽  
S. Forte ◽  
E. Harding ◽  
M. S. Darshan ◽  
K. Klucevsek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Classical Pathway ◽  
Viral Dna ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Import Receptors

ABSTRACT Analysis of the interactions of low-risk human papillomavirus type 11 (HPV11) L2 with karyopherin β (Kap β) nuclear import receptors revealed that L2 interacted with Kap β1, Kap β2, and Kap β3 and formed a complex with the Kap α2β1 heterodimer. HPV11 L2 contains two nuclear localization signals (NLSs)—in the N terminus and the C terminus—that could mediate its nuclear import via a classical pathway. Each NLS was functional in vivo, and deletion of both of them abolished L2 nuclear localization. Both NLSs interacted with the viral DNA. Thus, HPV11 L2 can interact with several karyopherins and the viral DNA and may enter the nucleus via multiple pathways.

scholarly journals Specific Nucleoporin Requirement for Smad Nuclear Translocation

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (16) ◽  
pp. 4022-4034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaochu Chen ◽  
Lan Xu
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Nuclear Periphery ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Localization Signal

ABSTRACT Cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation of Smad is a fundamental step in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signal transduction. Here we identify a subset of nucleoporins that, in conjunction with Msk (Drosophila Imp7/8), specifically mediate activation-induced nuclear translocation of MAD (Drosophila Smad1) but not the constitutive import of proteins harboring a classic nuclear localization signal (cNLS) or the spontaneous nuclear import of Medea (Drosophila Smad4). Surprisingly, many of these nucleoporins, including Sec13, Nup75, Nup93, and Nup205, are scaffold nucleoporins considered important for the overall integrity of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) but not known to have cargo-specific functions. We demonstrate that the roles of these nucleoporins in supporting Smad nuclear import are separate from their previously assigned functions in NPC assembly. Furthermore, we uncovered novel pathway-specific functions of Sec13 and Nup93; both Sec13 and Nup93 are able to preferentially interact with the phosphorylated/activated form of MAD, and Nup93 acts to recruit the importin Msk to the nuclear periphery. These findings, together with the observation that Sec13 and Nup93 could interact directly with Msk, suggest their direct involvement in the nuclear import of MAD. Thus, we have delineated the nucleoporin requirement of MAD nuclear import, reflecting a unique trans-NPC mechanism.

scholarly journals Types of nuclear localization signals and mechanisms of protein import into the nucleus

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juane Lu ◽  
Tao Wu ◽  
Biao Zhang ◽  
Suke Liu ◽  
Wenjun Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Recognition ◽  
Short Peptides ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signals ◽  
Cargo Proteins ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Related Proteins

AbstractNuclear localization signals (NLS) are generally short peptides that act as a signal fragment that mediates the transport of proteins from the cytoplasm into the nucleus. This NLS-dependent protein recognition, a process necessary for cargo proteins to pass the nuclear envelope through the nuclear pore complex, is facilitated by members of the importin superfamily. Here, we summarized the types of NLS, focused on the recently reported related proteins containing nuclear localization signals, and briefly summarized some mechanisms that do not depend on nuclear localization signals into the nucleus.

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