Biomedical subjects

Yuh Min Chook

Publications and source records attributed to Yuh Min Chook.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Rules for nuclear localization sequence recognition by karyopherin beta 2.

Karyopherinbeta (Kapbeta) proteins bind nuclear localization and export signals (NLSs and NESs) to mediate nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, a process regulated by Ran GTPase through its nucleotide cycle. Diversity and complexity of signals recognized by Kap betas have prevented prediction of new Kap beta substrates. The structure of Kap beta 2 (also known as Transportin) bound to one of its substrates, the NLS of hnRNP A1, that we report here explains the mechanism of substrate displacement by Ran GTPase. Further analyses reveal three rules for NLS recognition by Kap beta 2: NLSs are structurally disordered in free substrates, have overall basic character, and possess a central hydrophobic or basic motif followed by a C-terminal R/H/KX(2-5)PY consensus sequence. We demonstrate the predictive nature of these rules by identifying NLSs in seven previously known Kap beta 2 substrates and uncovering 81 new candidate substrates, confirming five experimentally. These studies define and validate a new NLS that could not be predicted by primary sequence analysis alone.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2006

The nucleoporin Nup96 is required for proper expression of interferon-regulated proteins and functions.

Nup98 and Nup96 are components of the nuclear transport machinery and are induced by interferons (IFN). Nup98 is a constituent of an mRNA export pathway that is targeted by viruses and regulated by IFN. However, the role of Nup96 in IFN-related mechanisms has not been established. To investigate the function of Nup96 in vivo, we generated Nup96(+/-) mice that express low levels of Nup96, as Nup96(-/-) mice are lethal. The Nup96(+/-) mice presented selective alterations of the immune system, which resulted in downregulation and impaired IFN alpha- and gamma-mediated induction of MHC I and IFNgamma induction of MHC II, ICAM-1, and other proteins. Frequency of TCRalphabeta+ and CD4+ T cells, which depends on MHC function, is reduced in NUP96(+/-) mice. Upon immunization, Nup96(+/-) mice showed impaired antigen presentation and T cell proliferation. Nup96(+/-) cells and mice were highly susceptible to viral infection, demonstrating a role for Nup96 in innate and adaptive immunity.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Atomic resolution structures in nuclear transport.

There are currently at least 53 structures of components of nuclear transport in the Protein Databank. In addition to providing critical insights into molecular mechanisms of nuclear transport, these atomic resolution structures provide a large body of information that could guide biochemical and cell biological analyses involving nuclear transport proteins. This paper catalogs 53 crystal and NMR structures of nuclear transport proteins, with the emphasis on providing information useful for mutagenesis and overexpression of recombinant proteins.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2004

AMP-activated protein kinase-regulated phosphorylation and acetylation of importin alpha1: involvement in the nuclear import of RNA-binding protein HuR.

Nuclear import of HuR, a shuttling RNA-binding protein, is associated with reduced stability of its target mRNAs. Increased function of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme involved in responding to metabolic stress, was recently shown to reduce the cytoplasmic levels of HuR. Here, we provide evidence that importin alpha1, an adaptor protein involved in nuclear import, contributes to the nuclear import of HuR through two AMPK-modulated mechanisms. First, AMPK triggered the acetylation of importin alpha1 on Lys(22), a process dependent on the acetylase activity of p300. Second, AMPK phosphorylated importin alpha1 on Ser(105). Accordingly, expression of importin alpha1 proteins bearing K22R or S105A mutations failed to mediate the nuclear import of HuR in intact cells. Our results point to importin alpha1 as a critical downstream target of AMPK and key mediator of AMPK-triggered HuR nuclear import.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

PubMed2002

Uncoupling Kapbeta2 substrate dissociation and ran binding.

Karyopherinbeta2 (Kapbeta2) imports a variety of mRNA binding proteins into the nucleus. Release of import substrates in the nucleus involves formation of a high-affinity Kapbeta2-RanGTP complex and concomitant dissociation of import substrates. The crystal structure of the Kapbeta2-RanGppNHp complex shows that Ran binds in the Kapbeta2 N-terminal arch and substrate most likely binds its C-terminal arch. The structure suggested a mechanism for Ran-mediated substrate dissociation where a long internal acidic loop in Kapbeta2 transmits structural information between the GTPase and substrate sites, leading to displacement of substrate by the loop when Ran is bound. To study the molecular mechanism of substrate dissociation, we have cleaved the acidic loop of Kapbeta2 proteolytically (cl-Kapbeta2) and also constructed a mutant of Kapbeta2 with a truncated loop (TL-Kapbeta2). Both modified Kapbeta2s are unable to undergo Ran-mediated substrate dissociation. We have also mapped the boundaries of the Kapbeta2 binding site of substrate mRNA binding protein A1 using a widely applicable method employing NMR spectroscopy. This has allowed design of reagents to quantitate the affinities of the Kapbeta2 proteins for Ran and substrate. cl-Kapbeta2, TL-Kapbeta2, and native Kapbeta2 have comparable affinities for both RanGppNHp and import substrates, indicating that perturbation of the loop has not altered the strength of binary Kapbeta2-Ran or Kapbeta2-substrate interactions. The TL-Kapbeta2 mutant also binds RanGppNHp and substrate simultaneously to form a ternary complex, indicating that in addition to the loss of coupling between Ran binding and substrate dissociation, the two ligand sites on Kapbeta2 are spatially distinct. The uncoupling of Ran binding and substrate dissociation in the TL-Kapbeta2 mutant is further evident in significant loss of Ran-mediated nuclear uptake of fluorescent substrate in digitonin-permeabilized HeLa cells. These results support our previously proposed GTPase-mediated Kapbeta2-substrate dissociation mechanism where the acidic loop of Kapbeta2 physically couples distinct Ran and substrate binding sites.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗