scholarly journals Major Binding Sites for the Nuclear Import Receptor Are the Internal Nucleoporin Nup153 and the Adjacent Nuclear Filament Protein Tpr

1998 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sundeep Shah ◽  
Stuart Tugendreich ◽  
Douglass Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Nuclear Pores ◽  
Major Question ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Xenopus Egg ◽  
Filament Protein

A major question in nuclear import concerns the identity of the nucleoporin(s) that interact with the nuclear localization sequences (NLS) receptor and its cargo as they traverse the nuclear pore. Ligand blotting and solution binding studies of isolated proteins have attempted to gain clues to the identities of these nucleoporins, but the studies have from necessity probed binding events far from an in vivo context. Here we have asked what binding events occur in the more physiological context of a Xenopus egg extract, which contains nuclear pore subcomplexes in an assembly competent state. We have then assessed our conclusions in the context of assembled nuclear pores themselves. We have used immunoprecipitation to identify physiologically relevant complexes of nucleoporins and importin subunits. In parallel, we have demonstrated that it is possible to obtain immunofluorescence localization of nucleoporins to subregions of the nuclear pore and its associated structures. By immunoprecipitation, we find the nucleoporin Nup153 and the pore-associated filament protein Tpr, previously shown to reside at distinct sites on the intranuclear side of assembled pores, are each in stable subcomplexes with importin α and β in Xenopus egg extracts. Importin subunits are not in stable complexes with nucleoporins Nup62, Nup93, Nup98, or Nup214/CAN, either in egg extracts or in extracts of assembled nuclear pores. In characterizing the Nup153 complex, we find that Nup153 can bind to a complete import complex containing importin α, β, and an NLS substrate, consistent with an involvement of this nucleoporin in a terminal step of nuclear import. Importin β binds directly to Nup153 and in vitro can do so at multiple sites in the Nup153 FXFG repeat region. Tpr, which has no FXFG repeats, binds to importin β and to importin α/β heterodimers, but only to those that do not carry an NLS substrate. That the complex of Tpr with importin β is fundamentally different from that of Nup153 is additionally demonstrated by the finding that recombinant β or β45–462 fragment freely exchanges with the endogenous importin β/Nup153 complex, but cannot displace endogenous importin β from a Tpr complex. However, the GTP analogue GMP-PNP is able to disassemble both Nup153– and Tpr–importin β complexes. Importantly, analysis of extracts of isolated nuclei indicates that Nup153– and Tpr–importin β complexes exist in assembled nuclear pores. Thus, Nup153 and Tpr are major physiological binding sites for importin β. Models for the roles of these interactions are discussed.

scholarly journals Selective Disruption of Nuclear Import by a Functional Mutant Nuclear Transport Carrier

2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia M. Lane ◽  
Ian Cushman ◽  
Mary Shannon Moore
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Nuclear Transport ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Transport Carrier ◽  
Docking Sites

p10/NTF2 is a nuclear transport carrier that mediates the uptake of cytoplasmic RanGDP into the nucleus. We constructed a point mutant of p10, D23A, that exhibited unexpected behavior both in digitonin-permeabilized and microinjected mammalian cells. D23A p10 was markedly more efficient than wild-type (wt) p10 at supporting Ran import, but simultaneously acted as a dominant-negative inhibitor of classical nuclear localization sequence (cNLS)-mediated nuclear import supported by karyopherins (Kaps) α and β1. Binding studies indicated that these two nuclear transport carriers of different classes, p10 and Kap-β1, compete for identical and/or overlapping binding sites at the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and that D23A p10 has an increased affinity relative to wt p10 and Kap-β1 for these shared binding sites. Because of this increased affinity, D23A p10 is able to import its own cargo (RanGDP) more efficiently than wt p10, but Kap-β1 can no longer compete efficiently for shared NPC docking sites, thus the import of cNLS cargo is inhibited. The competition of different nuclear carriers for shared NPC docking sites observed here predicts a dynamic equilibrium between multiple nuclear transport pathways inside the cell that could be easily shifted by a transient modification of one of the carriers.

scholarly journals Importin β contains a COOH-terminal nucleoporin binding region important for nuclear transport

2003 ◽  
Vol 162 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janna Bednenko ◽  
Gino Cingolani ◽  
Larry Gerace
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Nuclear Transport ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Binding Region ◽  
Similar Extent ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Import Receptor

Proteins containing a classical NLS are transported into the nucleus by the import receptor importin β, which binds to cargoes via the adaptor importin α. The import complex is translocated through the nuclear pore complex by interactions of importin β with a series of nucleoporins. Previous studies have defined a nucleoporin binding region in the NH2-terminal half of importin β. Here we report the identification of a second nucleoporin binding region in its COOH-terminal half. Although the affinity of the COOH-terminal region for nucleoporins is dramatically weaker than that of the NH2-terminal region, sets of mutations that perturb the nucleoporin binding of either region reduce the nuclear import activity of importin β to a similar extent (∼50%). An importin β mutant with a combination of mutations in the NH2- and COOH-terminal regions is completely inactive for nuclear import. Thus, importin β possesses two nucleoporin binding sites, both of which are important for its nuclear import function.

scholarly journals Reconstituted nuclei depleted of a vertebrate GLFG nuclear pore protein, p97, import but are defective in nuclear growth and replication.

1995 ◽  
Vol 128 (5) ◽  
pp. 721-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Powers ◽  
C Macaulay ◽  
F R Masiarz ◽  
D J Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Protein Import ◽  
Polyclonal Antiserum ◽  
Peptide Sequence ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Nuclear Pore Protein ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Xenopus Egg ◽  
Punctate Pattern

Xenopus egg extracts provide a powerful system for in vitro reconstitution of nuclei and analysis of nuclear transport. Such cell-free extracts contain three major N-acetylglucosaminylated proteins: p200, p97, and p60. Both p200 and p60 have been found to be components of the nuclear pore. Here, the role of p97 has been investigated. Xenopus p97 was isolated and antisera were raised and affinity purified. Immunolocalization experiments indicate that p97 is present in a punctate pattern on the nuclear envelope and also in the nuclear interior. Peptide sequence analysis reveals that p97 contains a GLFG motif which defines a family of yeast nuclear pore proteins, as well as a peptide that is identical at 11/15 amino acids to a specific member of the GLFG family, NUP116. An additional peptide is highly homologous to a second sequence found in NUP116 and other members of the yeast GLFG family. A monoclonal antibody to the GLFG domain cross-reacts with a major Xenopus protein of 97 kD and polyclonal antiserum to p97 recognizes the yeast GLFG nucleoporin family. The p97 antiserum was used to immunodeplete Xenopus egg cytosol and p97-deficient nuclei were reconstituted. The p97-depleted nuclei remained largely competent for nuclear protein import. However, in contrast to control nuclei, nuclei deficient in p97 fail to grow in size over time and do not replicate their chromosomal DNA. ssDNA replication in such extracts remains unaffected. Addition of the N-acetylglucosaminylated nuclear proteins of Xenopus or rat reverses these replication and growth defects. The possible role(s) of p97 in these nuclear functions is discussed.

scholarly journals Expression Analysis and Nuclear Import Study of Full-length Isoforms Importin α as 6x Histidin-tagged Fusion Protein on the Intracellular Localization of Recombinant HBV Core Protein

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aris Haryanto
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Intracellular Localization ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Localization Signal

Isoform importin α molecules play a central role in the classical nuclear import pathway, that occurs throughthe nuclear pore complex (NPC) and typically requires a specific nuclear localization signal (NLS). In this study,it was investigated the role of isoforms importin α in the nuclear import of wild type recombinant hepatitis B viruscore protein (WT rHBc), phosphorylated recombinant HBV core (rHBc) and recombinant HBV core without NLSby co-immunoprecipitation. Four recombinant full-length isoforms importin α as 6x histidin-tagged fusion proteinwere expressed and analysed from expression plasmid vectors Rch1, pHM 1969, pHM 1967 and pHM 1965. Theresults indicated that importin α-1, importin α-3, importin α-4 and importin α-5 can be expressed and isolatedfrom E. coli transformed recombinant DNA plasmid as protein in size around 58-60 kDa. By the nuclear transportstudy shown that isoforms importin α are involved in the nuclear import of WT rHBc, phosphorylated rHBc andrHBc without NLS. It also indicated that they have an important role for nuclear transport of from cytoplasm intothe nucleus.Keywords: NPC, NLS, importin α, importin β, isoforms importin α as 6x histidin-tagged fusion protein, WTrHBc, SV40 Tag, co-immunoprecipitation, westernblotting.

scholarly journals Nuclear Localization Signal and Protein Context both Mediate Importin α Specificity of Nuclear Import Substrates

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 8697-8709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beate Friedrich ◽  
Christina Quensel ◽  
Thomas Sommer ◽  
Enno Hartmann ◽  
Matthias Köhler
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Vitro Binding ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Localization Signal ◽  
Experimental Approaches

ABSTRACT The “classical” nuclear protein import pathway depends on importin α and importin β. Importin α binds nuclear localization signal (NLS)-bearing proteins and functions as an adapter to access the importin β-dependent import pathway. In humans, only one importin β is known to interact with importin α, while six α importins have been described. Various experimental approaches provided evidence that several substrates are transported specifically by particular α importins. Whether the NLS is sufficient to mediate importin α specificity is unclear. To address this question, we exchanged the NLSs of two well-characterized import substrates, the seven-bladed propeller protein RCC1, preferentially transported into the nucleus by importin α3, and the less specifically imported substrate nucleoplasmin. In vitro binding studies and nuclear import assays revealed that both NLS and protein context contribute to the specificity of importin α binding and transport.

scholarly journals GTP hydrolysis by Ran occurs at the nuclear pore complex in an early step of protein import.

1995 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 571-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Melchior ◽  
T Guan ◽  
N Yokoyama ◽  
T Nishimoto ◽  
L Gerace
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Early Step ◽  
Permeabilized Cells ◽  
Complex Protein ◽  
Ran Gtp

Mediated import of proteins into the nucleus involves multiple cytosolic factors, including the small GTPase Ran. Whether Ran functions by interacting with other cytosolic proteins or components of the nuclear pore complex has been unclear. Furthermore, the precise transport step where Ran acts has not been determined. To address these questions, we have analyzed the binding interactions of Ran using permeabilized cells and isolated nuclear envelopes. By light and electron microscope immunolocalization, we have found that Ran accumulates specifically at the cytoplasmic surface of the nuclear pore complex when nuclear import in permeabilized cells is inhibited by nonhydrolyzable analogs of GTP. Ran associates with a peripheral pore complex region that is similar to the area where transport ligands accumulate by depletion of ATP, which arrests an early step of transport. Binding studies with isolated nuclear envelopes in the absence of added cytosol indicate that Ran-GTP directly interacts with a pore complex protein. Using blot overlay techniques, we detected a single prominent polypeptide of isolated nuclear envelopes that binds Ran-GTP. This corresponds to the 358-kD protein RanBP2, a Ran binding pore complex protein recently identified by two-hybrid screening. Thus, RanBP2 is likely to constitute the Ran-GTP-binding site detected at the cytoplasmic periphery of the pore complex. These data support a model in which initial ligand binding to the nuclear pore complex occurs at or near RanBP2, and that hydrolysis of GTP by Ran at this site serves to define commitment to the nuclear import pathway.

scholarly journals The cytoplasmic filaments of the nuclear pore complex are dispensable for selective nuclear protein import

2002 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias C. Walther ◽  
Helen S. Pickersgill ◽  
Volker C. Cordes ◽  
Martin W. Goldberg ◽  
Terry D. Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Nuclear Localization Sequence ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Cytoplasmic Filaments ◽  
Localization Sequence ◽  
Importin Α

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) mediates bidirectional macromolecular traffic between the nucleus and cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells. Eight filaments project from the NPC into the cytoplasm and are proposed to function in nuclear import. We investigated the localization and function of two nucleoporins on the cytoplasmic face of the NPC, CAN/Nup214 and RanBP2/Nup358. Consistent with previous data, RanBP2 was localized at the cytoplasmic filaments. In contrast, CAN was localized near the cytoplasmic coaxial ring. Unexpectedly, extensive blocking of RanBP2 with gold-conjugated antibodies failed to inhibit nuclear import. Therefore, RanBP2-deficient NPCs were generated by in vitro nuclear assembly in RanBP2-depleted Xenopus egg extracts. NPCs were formed that lacked cytoplasmic filaments, but that retained CAN. These nuclei efficiently imported nuclear localization sequence (NLS) or M9 substrates. NPCs lacking CAN retained RanBP2 and cytoplasmic filaments, and showed a minor NLS import defect. NPCs deficient in both CAN and RanBP2 displayed no cytoplasmic filaments and had a strikingly immature cytoplasmic appearance. However, they showed only a slight reduction in NLS-mediated import, no change in M9-mediated import, and were normal in growth and DNA replication. We conclude that RanBP2 is the major nucleoporin component of the cytoplasmic filaments of the NPC, and that these filaments do not have an essential role in importin α/β– or transportin-dependent import.

scholarly journals Xenopus lamin B3 has a direct role in the assembly of a replication competent nucleus: evidence from cell-free egg extracts

1995 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 3451-3461 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Goldberg ◽  
H. Jenkins ◽  
T. Allen ◽  
W.G. Whitfield ◽  
C.J. Hutchison
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Nuclear Matrix ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Protein Species ◽  
Nuclear Pores ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Nuclear Envelope Assembly

Xenopus egg extracts which assemble replication competent nuclei in vitro were depleted of lamin B3 using monoclonal antibody L6 5D5 linked to paramagnetic beads. After depletion, the extracts were still capable of assembling nuclei around demembranated sperm heads. Using field emission in lens scanning electron microscopy (FEISEM) we show that most nuclei assembled in lamin B3-depleted extracts have continuous nuclear envelopes and well formed nuclear pores. However, several consistent differences were observed. Most nuclei were small and only attained diameters which were half the size of controls. In a small number of nuclei, nuclear pore baskets, normally present on the inner aspect of the nuclear envelope, appeared on its outer surface. Finally, the assembly of nuclear pores was slower in lamin B3-depleted extracts, indicating a slower overall rate of nuclear envelope assembly. The results of FEISEM were confirmed using conventional TEM thin sections, where again the majority of nuclei assembled in lamin B3-depleted extracts had well formed double unit membranes containing a high density of nuclear pores. Since nuclear envelope assembly was mostly normal but slow in these nuclei, the lamin content of ‘depleted’ extracts was investigated. While lamin B3 was recovered efficiently from cytosolic and membrane fractions by our procedure, a second minor lamin isoform, which has characteristics similar to those of the somatic lamin B2, remained in the extract. Thus it is likely that this lamin is necessary for nuclear envelope assembly. However, while lamin B2 did not co-precipitate with lamin B3 during immunodepletion experiments, several protein species did specifically associate with lamin B3 on paramagnetic immunobeads. The major protein species associated with lamin B3 migrated with molecular masses of 102 kDa and 57 kDa, respectively, on one-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. On two-dimensional O'Farrell gels the mobility of the 102 kDa protein was identical to the mobility of a major nuclear matrix protein, indicating a specific association between lamin B3 and other nuclear matrix proteins. Nuclei assembled in lamin B3-depleted extracts did not assemble a lamina, judged by indirect immunofluorescence, and failed to initiate semi-conservative DNA replication. However, by reinoculating depleted extracts with purified lamin B3, nuclear lamina assembly and DNA replication could both be rescued. Thus it seems likely that the inability of lamin-depleted extracts to assemble a replication competent nucleus is a direct consequence of a failure to assemble a lamina.

scholarly journals C9orf72 arginine-rich dipeptide repeat proteins disrupt karyopherin-mediated nuclear import

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey R Hayes ◽  
Lauren Duan ◽  
Kelly Bowen ◽  
Petr Kalab ◽  
Jeffrey D Rothstein
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Import ◽  
Genetic Modifier ◽  
Nucleocytoplasmic Transport ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Dipeptide Repeat Proteins ◽  
Hexanucleotide Repeat ◽  
Repeat Proteins ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Dipeptide Repeat

Disruption of nucleocytoplasmic transport is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS caused by a C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion. However, the mechanism(s) remain unclear. Karyopherins, including importin β and its cargo adaptors, have been shown to co-precipitate with the C9orf72 arginine-containing dipeptide repeat proteins (R-DPRs), poly-glycine arginine (GR) and poly-proline arginine (PR), and are protective in genetic modifier screens. Here, we show that R-DPRs interact with importin β, disrupt its cargo loading, and inhibit nuclear import of importin β, importin α/β, and transportin cargoes in permeabilized mouse neurons and HeLa cells, in a manner that can be rescued by RNA. Although R-DPRs induce widespread protein aggregation in this in vitro system, transport disruption is not due to nucleocytoplasmic transport protein sequestration, nor blockade of the phenylalanine-glycine (FG)-rich nuclear pore complex. Our results support a model in which R-DPRs interfere with cargo loading on karyopherins.

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