scholarly journals Importin α/β and Ran-GTP Regulate XCTK2 Microtubule Binding through a Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie C. Ems-McClung ◽  
Yixian Zheng ◽  
Claire E. Walczak
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Localization Signal ◽  
Ran Gtp

The small GTPase Ran is essential for spindle assembly. Ran is proposed to act through its nuclear import receptors importin α and/or importin β to control the sequestration of proteins necessary for spindle assembly. To date, the molecular mechanisms by which the Ran pathway functions remain unclear. Using purified proteins, we have reconstituted Ran-regulated microtubule binding of the C-terminal kinesin XCTK2, a kinesin important for spindle assembly. We show that the tail of XCTK2 binds to microtubules and that this binding is inhibited in the presence of importin α and β (α/β) and restored by addition of Ran-GTP. The bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the tail of XCTK2 is essential to this process, because mutation of the NLS abolishes importin α/β-mediated regulation of XCTK2 microtubule binding. Our data show that importin α/β directly regulates the activity of XCTK2 and that one of the molecular mechanisms of Ran-regulated spindle assembly is identical to that used in classical NLS-driven nuclear transport.

scholarly journals Kinesin-14 Family Proteins HSET/XCTK2 Control Spindle Length by Cross-Linking and Sliding Microtubules

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1348-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shang Cai ◽  
Lesley N. Weaver ◽  
Stephanie C. Ems-McClung ◽  
Claire E. Walczak
Keyword(s):  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cross Link ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Localization Signal

Kinesin-14 family proteins are minus-end directed motors that cross-link microtubules and play key roles during spindle assembly. We showed previously that the Xenopus Kinesin-14 XCTK2 is regulated by Ran via the association of a bipartite NLS in the tail of XCTK2 with importin α/β, which regulates its ability to cross-link microtubules during spindle formation. Here we show that mutation of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of human Kinesin-14 HSET caused an accumulation of HSET in the cytoplasm, which resulted in strong microtubule bundling. HSET overexpression in HeLa cells resulted in longer spindles, similar to what was seen with NLS mutants of XCTK2 in extracts, suggesting that Kinesin-14 proteins play similar roles in extracts and in somatic cells. Conversely, HSET knockdown by RNAi resulted in shorter spindles but did not affect pole formation. The change in spindle length was not dependent on K-fibers, as elimination of the K-fiber by Nuf2 RNAi resulted in an increase in spindle length that was partially rescued by co-RNAi of HSET. However, these changes in spindle length did require microtubule sliding, as overexpression of an HSET mutant that had its sliding activity uncoupled from its ATPase activity resulted in cells with spindle lengths shorter than cells overexpressing wild-type HSET. Our results are consistent with a model in which Ran regulates the association of Kinesin-14s with importin α/β to prevent aberrant cross-linking and bundling of microtubules by sequestering Kinesin-14s in the nucleus during interphase. Kinesin-14s act during mitosis to cross-link and slide between parallel microtubules to regulate spindle length.

scholarly journals Characterization of the bipartite nuclear localization signal of protein LANA2 from Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

2003 ◽  
Vol 374 (2) ◽  
pp. 545-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesar MUÑOZ-FONTELA ◽  
Estefanía RODRÍGUEZ ◽  
Cesar NOMBELA ◽  
Javier ARROYO ◽  
Carmen RIVAS
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽  
Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Localization Signal ◽  
Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus ◽  
Kaposi’S Sarcoma Associated Herpesvirus

LANA2 is a nuclear latent protein detected exclusively in Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus-infected B cells. The protein inhibits p53-dependent transactivation and apoptosis, suggesting an important role in the transforming activity of the virus. To explore the molecular mechanisms of its nuclear localization, fusion proteins of green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and deletion constructs of LANA2 were expressed in HeLa cells. Only the fragment comprising amino acid residues 355–440 of LANA2 localized in the cell nucleus. This fragment contains two closely located basic domains and forms a putative bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS). The putative LANA2 NLS was able to target EGFP to the nucleus consistently. Site-directed mutation analyses demonstrated that LANA2 contains a functional bipartite NLS between amino acid positions 367 and 384. In addition, analysis of cells transfected with a cytoplasmic LANA2 mutant revealed that an appropriate subcellular localization may be crucial to regulate p53 activity.

scholarly journals Staufen1 is imported into the nucleolus via a bipartite nuclear localization signal and several modulatory determinants

2005 ◽  
Vol 393 (1) ◽  
pp. 245-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Martel ◽  
Paolo Macchi ◽  
Luc Furic ◽  
Michael A. Kiebler ◽  
Luc Desgroseillers
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Nuclear Trafficking ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Localization Signal

Mammalian Stau1 (Staufen1), a modular protein composed of several dsRBDs (double-stranded RNA-binding domains), is probably involved in mRNA localization. Although Stau1 is mostly described in association with the rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes in the cytoplasm, recent studies suggest that it may transit through the nucleus/nucleolus. Using a sensitive yeast import assay, we show that Stau1 is actively imported into the nucleus through a newly identified bipartite nuclear localization signal. As in yeast, the bipartite nuclear localization signal is necessary for Stau1 nuclear import in mammalian cells. It is also required for Stau1 nucleolar trafficking. However, Stau1 nuclear transit seems to be regulated by mechanisms that involve cytoplasmic retention and/or facilitated nuclear export. Cytoplasmic retention is mainly achieved through the action of dsRBD3, with dsRBD2 playing a supporting role in this function. Similarly, dsRBD3, but not its RNA-binding activity, is critical for Stau1 nucleolar trafficking. The function of dsRBD3 is strengthened or stabilized by the presence of dsRBD4 but prevented by the interdomain between dsRBD2 and dsRBD3. Altogether, these results suggest that Stau1 nuclear trafficking is a highly regulated process involving several determinants. The presence of Stau1 in the nucleus/nucleolus suggests that it may be involved in ribonucleoprotein formation in the nucleus and/or in other nuclear functions not necessarily related to mRNA transport.

Hairless is translocated to the nucleus via a novel bipartite nuclear localization signal and is associated with the nuclear matrix

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-376
Author(s):  
K. Djabali ◽  
V.M. Aita ◽  
A.M. Christiano
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Hair Follicle ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Matrix ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Hairless Gene ◽  
Fractionation Analysis ◽  
Localization Signal

Hair follicle cycling is an exquisitely regulated and dynamic process consisting of phases of growth, regression and quiescence. The transitions between the phases are governed by a growing number of regulatory proteins, including transcription factors. The hairless (hr) gene encodes a putative transcription factor that is highly expressed in the skin, where it appears to be an essential regulator during the regression of the catagen hair follicle. In hairless mice, as well as humans with congenital atrichia, the absence of hr gene function initiates a premature and abnormal catagen due to a dysregulation of apoptosis and cell adhesion, and defects in the signaling required for hair follicle remodeling. Here, we report structure-function studies of the hairless gene product, in which we identify a novel bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) of the form KRA(X13) PKR. Deletion analysis of the mouse hr gene mapped the NLS to amino acid residues 409–427. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy of cells transiently transfected with hairless-green fluorescent fusion proteins demonstrated that these amino acid residues are necessary and sufficient for nuclear localization. Furthermore, nuclear fractionation analysis revealed that the hr protein is associated with components of the nuclear matrix.

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