scholarly journals O-linked glycoproteins of the nuclear pore complex interact with a cytosolic factor required for nuclear protein import.

1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Sterne-Marr ◽  
J M Blevitt ◽  
L Gerace
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Reticulocyte Lysate ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import ◽  
Cytosolic Factor ◽  
Cytosolic Factors

Mediated import of proteins into the nucleus requires cytosolic factors and can be blocked by reagents that bind to O-linked glycoproteins of the nuclear pore complex. To investigate whether a cytosolic transport factor directly interacts with these glycoproteins, O-linked glycoproteins from rat liver nuclear envelopes were immobilized on Sepharose beads via wheat germ agglutinin or specific antibodies. When rabbit reticulocyte lysate (which provides cytosolic factors required for in vitro nuclear import) was incubated with the immobilized glycoproteins, the cytosol was found to be inactivated by up to 80% in its ability to support mediated protein import in permeabilized mammalian cells. Inactivation of the import capacity of cytosol, which was specifically attributable to the glycoproteins, involves stoichiometric interactions and is likely to involve binding and depletion of a required factor from the cytosol. This factor is distinct from an N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive receptor for nuclear localization sequences characterized recently since it is insensitive to N-ethylmaleimide. Cytosol inactivation is suggested to be caused by at least two proteins of the glycoprotein fraction, although substantial capacity for inactivation can be attributed to protein bound by the RL11 antibody, consisting predominantly of a 180-kD glycosylated polypeptide. Considered together, these experiments identify a novel cytosolic factor required for nuclear protein import that directly interacts with O-linked glycoproteins of the pore complex, and provide a specific assay for isolation of this component.

scholarly journals An N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive cytosolic factor necessary for nuclear protein import: requirement in signal-mediated binding to the nuclear pore.

1990 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
D D Newmeyer ◽  
D J Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import ◽  
Cytosolic Factor

We described previously an assay for authentic nuclear protein import in vitro. In this assay, exogenous nuclei are placed in an extract of Xenopus eggs; a rhodamine-labeled protein possessing a nuclear localization signal is added, and fluorescence microscopy is used to measure nuclear uptake. The requirement in this system for a cytosolic extract suggests that nuclear import is dependent on at least one cytosolic factor. We now confirm this hypothesis. Treatment of the cytosol with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) abolishes nuclear protein import; readdition of a cytosolic fraction to the NEM-inactivated extract rescues transport. Thus, at least one NEM-sensitive factor required for transport is supplied by the cytosol. This activity, called nuclear import factor-1, or NIF-1, is ammonium-sulfate-precipitable, protease-sensitive, and heat-labile; it is therefore at least partly proteinaceous. NIF-1 stimulates, in a concentration-dependent manner, the rate at which individual nuclei accumulate protein. The effect of NIF-1 is enhanced by a second cytosolic NEM-sensitive factor, NIF-2. Earlier we identified two steps in the nuclear import reaction: (a) ATP-independent binding of a signal-sequence-bearing protein to the nuclear pore; and (b) ATP-dependent translocation of that protein through the pore. We now show that NEM inhibits signal-mediated binding, and that readdition of NIF-1 restores binding. Thus, NIF-1 is required for at least the binding step and does not require ATP for its activity. NIF-1 may act as a cytoplasmic signal receptor that escorts signal-bearing proteins to the pore, or may instead promote signal-mediated binding to the pore in another manner, as discussed.

scholarly journals Nuclear transport defects and nuclear envelope alterations are associated with mutation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae NPL4 gene.

1996 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 1835-1855 ◽  
Author(s):  
C DeHoratius ◽  
P A Silver
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Nuclear Transport ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Nonpermissive Temperature ◽  
Temperature Sensitive Mutants ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import

To identify components involved in nuclear protein import, we used a genetic selection to isolate mutants that mislocalized a nuclear-targeted protein. We identified temperature-sensitive mutants that accumulated several different nuclear proteins in the cytoplasm when shifted to the semipermissive temperature of 30 degrees C; these were termed npl (nuclear protein localization) mutants. We now present the properties of yeast strains bearing mutations in the NPL4 gene and report the cloning of the NPL4 gene and the characterization of the Np14 protein. The npl4-1 mutant was isolated by the previously described selection scheme. The second allele, npl4-2, was identified from an independently derived collection of temperature-sensitive mutants. The npl4-1 and npl4-2 strains accumulate nuclear-targeted proteins in the cytoplasm at the nonpermissive temperature consistent with a defect in nuclear protein import. Using an in vitro nuclear import assay, we show that nuclei prepared from temperature-shifted npl4 mutant cells are unable to import nuclear-targeted proteins, even in the presence of cytosol prepared from wild-type cells. In addition, npl4-2 cells accumulate poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus at the nonpermissive temperature, consistent with a failure to export mRNA from the nucleus. The npl4-1 and npl4-2 cells also exhibit distinct, temperature-sensitive structural defects: npl4-1 cells project extra nuclear envelope into the cytoplasm, whereas npl4-2 cells from nuclear envelope herniations that appear to be filled with poly(A)+ RNA. The NPL4 gene encodes an essential M(r) 64,000 protein that is located at the nuclear periphery and localizes in a pattern similar to nuclear pore complex proteins. Taken together, these results indicate that this gene encodes a novel nuclear pore complex or nuclear pore complex-associated component required for nuclear membrane integrity and nuclear transport.

scholarly journals Identification of NTF2, a cytosolic factor for nuclear import that interacts with nuclear pore complex protein p62.

1995 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 925-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
B M Paschal ◽  
L Gerace
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Multicomponent System ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Transport Activity ◽  
Complex Protein ◽  
Multistep Process ◽  
Cytosolic Factor ◽  
Cytosolic Factors

Protein import into the nucleus is a multistep process that requires the activities of several cytosolic factors. In this study we have purified a cytosolic factor that interacts with the nuclear pore complex glycoprotein p62. Isolation involved biochemical complementation of cytosol depleted of this activity by preadsorption with recombinant p62 and the use of a novel flow cytometry-based assay for quantitation of nuclear import. The purified activity (NTF2) is an apparent dimer of approximately 14-kD subunits and is present at approximately 10(6) copies per cell. We obtained a cDNA encoding NTF2 and showed that the recombinant protein restores transport activity to p62-pretreated cytosol. Our data suggest that NTF2 acts at a relatively late stage of nuclear protein import, subsequent to the initial docking of nuclear import ligand at the nuclear envelope. NTF2 interacts with at least one additional cytosolic transport activity, indicating that it could be part of a multicomponent system of cytosolic factors that assemble at the pore complex during nuclear import.

scholarly journals Reconstitution of nuclear protein transport with semi-intact yeast cells.

1993 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 785-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Schlenstedt ◽  
E Hurt ◽  
V Doye ◽  
P A Silver
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Protein ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import ◽  
Pore Protein

We have developed an in vitro nuclear protein import reaction from semi-intact yeast cells. The reaction uses cells that have been permeabilized by freeze-thaw after spheroplast formation. Electron microscopic analysis and antibody-binding experiments show that the nuclear envelope remains intact but the plasma membrane is perforated. In the presence of ATP and cytosol derived from yeast or mammalian cells, a protein containing the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of SV40 large T-antigen is transported into the nucleus. Proteins with mutant NLSs are not imported. In the absence of cytosol, binding of NLS-containing proteins occurs at the nuclear envelope. N-ethylmaleimide treatment of the cytosol as well as antibodies to the nuclear pore protein Nsp1 inhibit import but not binding to the nuclear envelope. Yeast mutants defective in nuclear protein transport were tested in the in vitro import reaction. Semi-intact cells from temperature-sensitive nsp1 mutants failed to import but some binding to the nuclear envelope was observed. On the other hand, no binding and thus no import into nuclei was observed in semi-intact nsp49 cells which are mutated in another nuclear pore protein. Np13 mutants, which are defective for nuclear protein import in vivo, were also deficient in the binding step under the in vitro conditions. Thus, the transport defect in these mutants is at the level of the nucleus and the point at which nuclear transport is blocked can be defined.

scholarly journals A GTPase distinct from Ran is involved in nuclear protein import.

1996 ◽  
Vol 133 (5) ◽  
pp. 971-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J Sweet ◽  
L Gerace
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Mutant Form ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import ◽  
Dependent Transport

Signal-dependent transport of proteins into the nucleus is a multi-step process mediated by nuclear pore complexes and cytosolic transport factors. One of the cytosolic factors, Ran, is the only GTPase that has a characterized role in the nuclear import pathway. We have used a mutant form of Ran with altered nucleotide binding specificity to investigate whether any other GTPases are involved in nuclear protein import. D125N Ran (XTP-Ran) binds specifically to xanthosine triphosphate (XTP) and has a greatly reduced affinity for GTP, so it is no longer sensitive to inhibition by nonhydrolyzable analogues of GTP such as guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S). using in vitro transport assays, we have found that nuclear import supported by XTP-Ran is nevertheless inhibited by the addition of non-hydrolyzable GTP analogues. This in conjunction with the properties of the inhibitory effect indicates that at least one additional GTPase is involved in the import process. Initial characterization suggests that the inhibited GTPase plays a direct role in protein import and could be a component of the nuclear pore complex.

scholarly journals Nuclear protein import in permeabilized mammalian cells requires soluble cytoplasmic factors.

1990 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 807-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
S A Adam ◽  
R S Marr ◽  
L Gerace
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Permeabilized Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Factor ◽  
Nuclear Location ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import

We have developed an in vitro system involving digitonin-permeabilized vertebrate cells to study biochemical events in the transport of macromolecules across the nuclear envelope. While treatment of cultured cells with digitonin permeabilizes the plasma membranes to macromolecules, the nuclear envelopes remain structurally intact and nuclei retain the ability to transport and accumulate proteins containing the SV40 large T antigen nuclear location sequence. Transport requires addition of exogenous cytosol to permeabilized cells, indicating the soluble cytoplasmic factor(s) required for nuclear import are released during digitonin treatment. In this reconstituted import system, a protein containing a nuclear location signal is rapidly accumulated in nuclei, where it reaches a 30-fold concentration compared to the surrounding medium within 30 min. Nuclear import is specific for a functional nuclear location sequence, requires ATP and cytosol, and is temperature dependent. Furthermore, accumulation of the transport substrate within nuclei is completely inhibited by wheat germ agglutinin, which binds to nuclear pore complexes and inhibits transport in vivo. Together, these results indicate that the permeabilized cell system reproduces authentic nuclear protein import. In a preliminary biochemical dissection of the system, we observe that the sulfhydryl alkylating reagent N-ethylmaleimide inactivates both cytosolic factor(s) and also component(s) in the insoluble permeabilized cell fraction required for nuclear protein import. Because this permeabilized cell model is simple, efficient, and works effectively with cells and cytosol fractions prepared from a variety of different vertebrate sources, it will prove powerful for investigating the biochemical pathway of nuclear transport.

scholarly journals Two Isoforms of Npap60 (Nup50) Differentially Regulate Nuclear Protein Import

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 630-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Ogawa ◽  
Yoichi Miyamoto ◽  
Munehiro Asally ◽  
Masahiro Oka ◽  
Yoshinari Yasuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Vitro Binding ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import

Npap60 (Nup50) is a nucleoporin that binds directly to importin α. In humans, there are two Npap60 isoforms: the long (Npap60L) and short (Npap60S) forms. In this study, we provide both in vitro and in vivo evidence that Npap60L and Npap60S function differently in nuclear protein import. In vitro binding assays revealed that Npap60S stabilizes the binding of importin α to classical NLS-cargo, whereas Npap60L promotes the release of NLS-cargo from importin α. In vivo time-lapse experiments showed that when the Npap60 protein level is controlled, allowing CAS to efficiently promote the dissociation of the Npap60/importin α complex, Npap60S and Npap60L suppress and accelerate the nuclear import of NLS-cargo, respectively. These results demonstrate that Npap60L and Npap60S have opposing functions and suggest that Npap60L and Npap60S levels must be carefully controlled for efficient nuclear import of classical NLS-cargo in humans. This study provides novel evidence that nucleoporin expression levels regulate nuclear import efficiency.

Abstract P217: Nuclear Protein Import as the Missing Link in Phenylephrine-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

2011 ◽  
Vol 109 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirna N Chahine ◽  
Maxime Mioulane ◽  
Gabor Földes ◽  
Alexander Lyon ◽  
Sian E Harding
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Nuclear Protein Import

During cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyocytes (CM) present alterations in gene expression and increased contractile protein content. Nuclear protein import (NPI) is critical in regulating gene expression, transcription, and subsequently cell hypertrophy. However, it is unknown how the nuclear transport machinery (transport receptors and nuclear pore complex (NPC)) functions to sustain increased demands for nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. The aim of this study was to determine if exposure of adult CM to phenylephrine (PE) affects hypertrophy by altering NPI and NPC density. Comparisons were made to adult failing rat and human CM. Rat myocytes were enzymatically isolated from adult hearts, and used for immunocytochemistry, qPCR and western immunoblotting. Failing CM were obtained from explanted human hearts at the time of transplant and from a rat model of myocardial infarction-induced hypertrophy and failure. Rat adult CM exposed for 48h to PE were injected with a protein import substrate (Alexa488-BSA-NLS) to visually monitor nuclear import with the confocal microscope. The effects of P38 MAPK inhibitor, HDAC inhibitor, Exportin-1 (CRM-1) inhibitor, and GSK-3 β inhibitor were investigated. Cell and nuclear sizes were increased in PE treated-adult rat CM and in the adult failing rat and human CM compared to normal CM. In contrast, PE depressed the rate and maximal NPI (by 65 +/- 3.4 % (3.55 from 5.46), p<0.05) as well as nucleoporin p62 mRNA and protein expression levels in adult rat CM compared to non-treated CM. Nucleoporin p62, cytoplasmic Ranbp1, and nuclear translocation of importins (Imp.α and β) relative densities were also decreased in PE treated-adult rat CM and in adult failing rat CM and human heart tissue compared to normal controls. On the contrary, CRM-1 nuclear export relative density was increased during the same pathological conditions. Thus NPI downregulation is linked to an increased nuclear export required by CM to generate the hypertrophic phenotype. All these effects were P38MAPK, HDAC and CRM-1 dependent but GSK-3Beta independent in rat CM. Our results show that alterations in NPI and NPC density occur in failing CM as well as in CM under hypertrophic stimuli. NPI may represent a critical therapeutic target in hypertrophic conditions.

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