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Dominant-negative mutants of importin-beta block multiple pathways of import and export through the nuclear pore complex.

Nuclear protein import proceeds through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Importin-beta mediates translocation via direct interaction with NPC components and carries importin-alpha with the NLS substrate from the cytoplasm into the nucleus. The import reaction is terminated by the direct binding of nuclear RanGTP to importin-beta which dissociates the importin heterodimer. Here, we analyse the sites of interaction on importin-beta for its multiple partners. Ran and importin-alpha respectively require residues 1-364 and 331-876 of importin-beta for binding. Thus, RanGTP-mediated release of importin-alpha from importin-beta is likely to be an active displacement rather than due to simple competition between Ran and importin-alpha for a common binding site. Importin-beta has at least two non-overlapping sites of interaction with the NPC, which could potentially be used sequentially during translocation. Our data also suggest that termination of import involves a transient release of importin-beta from the NPC. Importin-beta fragments which bind to the NPC, but not to Ran, resist this release mechanism. As would be predicted from this, these importin-beta mutants are very efficient inhibitors of NLS-dependent protein import. Surprisingly, however, they also inhibit M9 signal-mediated nuclear import as well as nuclear export of mRNA, U snRNA, and the NES-containing Rev protein. This suggests that mediators of these various transport events share binding sites on the NPC and/or that mechanisms exist to coordinate translocation through the NPC via different nucleocytoplasmic transport pathways.

Animals↗

A chemical genetic screen identifies inhibitors of regulated nuclear export of a Forkhead transcription factor in PTEN-deficient tumor cells.

The PI3K/PTEN/Akt signal transduction pathway plays a key role in many tumors. Downstream targets of this pathway include the Forkhead family of transcription factors (FOXO1a, FOXO3a, FOXO4). In PTEN null cells, FOXO1a is inactivated by PI3K-dependent phosphorylation and mislocalization to the cytoplasm, yet still undergoes nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Since forcible localization of FOXO1a to the nucleus can reverse tumorigenicity of PTEN null cells, a high-content, chemical genetic screen for inhibitors of FOXO1a nuclear export was performed. The compounds detected in the primary screen were retested in secondary assays, and structure-function relationships were identified. Novel general export inhibitors were found that react with CRM1 as well as a number of compounds that inhibit PI3K/Akt signaling, among which are included multiple antagonists of calmodulin signaling.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

A role for nuclear inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate kinase in transcriptional control.

Phospholipase C and two inositol polyphosphate (IP) kinases constitute a signaling pathway that regulates nuclear messenger RNA export through production of inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6). The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate kinase of this pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, designated Ipk2, was found to be identical to Arg82, a regulator of the transcriptional complex ArgR-Mcm1. Synthesis of inositol 1,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate, but not IP6, was required for gene regulation through ArgR-Mcm1. Thus, the phospholipase C pathway produces multiple IP messengers that modulate distinct nuclear processes. The results reveal a direct mechanism by which activation of IP signaling may control gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Membrane accumulation of influenza A virus hemagglutinin triggers nuclear export of the viral genome via protein kinase Calpha-mediated activation of ERK signaling.

Replication and transcription of the influenza virus genome takes place exclusively within the nucleus of the infected cells. The viral RNA genome, polymerase subunits, and nucleoprotein form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. Late in the infectious cycle RNPs have to be exported from the nucleus to be enwrapped into budding progeny virions at the cell membrane. This process requires viral activation of the cellular Raf/MEK/ERK (mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)) signaling cascade that is activated late in the infection cycle. Accordingly, block of the cascade results in retardation of RNP export and reduced titers of progeny virus. In the present study we have analyzed the importance of cell-membrane association of the viral hemagglutinin glycoprotein for viral MAPK activation. We show that hemagglutinin membrane accumulation and its tight association with lipid-raft domains trigger activation of the MAPK cascade via protein kinase Calpha activation and induces RNP export. This may represent an auto-regulative mechanism that coordinates timing of RNP export to a point when all viral components are ready for virus budding.

Animals↗

Jab1 as a mediator of nuclear export and cytoplasmic degradation of p53.

Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (Jab1) is involved in various cellular mechanisms including development in Drosophila and mouse, cell cycle control and signal transduction pathways. Recent studies also determined that Jab1 functions as a nuclear exporter and inducer of cytoplasmic degradation for several proteins including p53, p27, capsid of West Nile virus, and Smad4/7 proteins. In particular, p53 is shown to bind to and to be exported into the cytoplasm by Jab1, which helps to maintain low levels of p53 under normal conditions. This review was undertaken in an effort to understand the biological significance of the homeostasis of p53 as maintained in the presence of Jab1. Based on our observations, we have provided potential mechanistic hypotheses for the nuclear export of p53 in coordination with Jab1 and the role of other factors in these processes.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Nuclear export of proteins: the role of nuclear retention.

Proteins that shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm are implicated in transport and signal transduction processes. Using assays based on interspecies heterokaryons and microinjection of Xenopus oocytes, we examined what structural features determine nuclear export of shuttling proteins. Three classes of proteins were studied: first, wild-type and mutant forms of nucleolin, one of the first shuttling proteins identified; second, artificial nuclear reporter proteins derived from cytoplasmic pyruvate kinase; and third, wild-type and mutant lamins differing in their abilities to be incorporated into the lamina. Our results show that a protein does not require positively acting export signals to be transported from nucleus to cytoplasm; instead, its shuttling ability is limited primarily by intranuclear interactions. We conclude that nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is a general phenomenon not restricted to proteins involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Influenza virus propagation is impaired by inhibition of the Raf/MEK/ERK signalling cascade.

Influenza A viruses are important worldwide pathogens in humans and different animal species. The functions of most of the ten different viral proteins of this negative-strand RNA virus have been well elucidated. However, little is known about the virus-induced intracellular signalling events that support viral replication. The Raf/MEK/ERK cascade is the prototype of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades and has an important role in cell growth, differentiation and survival. Investigation of the function of this pathway has been facilitated by the identification of specific inhibitors such as U0126, which blocks the cascade at the level of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK). Here we show that infection of cells with influenza A virus leads to biphasic activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade. Inhibition of Raf signalling results in nuclear retention of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), impaired function of the nuclear-export protein (NEP/NS2) and concomitant inhibition of virus production. Thus, signalling through the mitogenic cascade seems to be essential for virus production and RNP export from the nucleus during the viral life cycle.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

c-erbB-3: a nuclear protein in mammary epithelial cells.

c-erbB receptors are usually located in cell membranes and are activated by extracellular binding of EGF-like growth factors. Unexpectedly, using immunofluorescence we found high levels of c-erbB-3 within the nuclei of MTSV1-7 immortalized nonmalignant human mammary epithelial cells. Nuclear localization was mediated by the COOH terminus of c-erbB-3, and a nuclear localization signal was identified by site-directed mutagenesis and by transfer of the signal to chicken pyruvate kinase. A nuclear export inhibitor caused accumulation of c-erbB-3 in the nuclei of other mammary epithelial cell lines as demonstrated by immunofluorescence and biochemical cell fractionation, suggesting that c-erbB-3 shuttles between nuclear and nonnuclear compartments in these cells. Growth of MTSV1-7 on permeable filters induced epithelial polarity and concentration of c-erbB-3 within the nucleoli. However, the c-erbB-3 ligand heregulin beta1 shifted c-erbB-3 from the nucleolus into the nucleoplasm and then into the cytoplasm. The subcellular localization of c-erbB-3 obviously depends on exogenous stimuli and on the stage of epithelial polarity and challenges the specific function of c-erbB-3 as a transmembrane receptor protein arguing for additional, as yet unidentified, roles of c-erbB-3 within the nucle(ol)us of mammary epithelial cells.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Dcas is required for importin-alpha3 nuclear export and mechano-sensory organ cell fate specification in Drosophila.

We have studied the in vivo function and tissue specificity of Dcas, the Drosophila ortholog of CAS, the importin beta-like export receptor for importin alpha. While dcas mRNA is specifically expressed in the embryonic central nervous system, Dcas protein is maternally supplied to all embryonic cells and its nuclear/cytoplasmic distribution varies in different tissues and times in development. Unexpectedly, hypomorphic alleles of dcas show specific transformations in mechano-sensory organ cell identity, characteristic of mutations that increase Notch signaling. Dcas is essential for efficient importin-alpha3 nuclear export in mechano-sensory cells and the surrounding epidermal cells and is indirectly required for the import of one component of the Notch pathway, but not others tested. We interpret the specificity of the dcas phenotype as indicating that one or more Notch signaling components are particularly sensitive to a disruption in nuclear protein import. We propose that mutations in house keeping genes often cause specific developmental phenotypes, such as those observed in many human genetic disorders.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

The structure of the nuclear export receptor Cse1 in its cytosolic state reveals a closed conformation incompatible with cargo binding.

Cse1 mediates nuclear export of importin alpha, the nuclear localization signal (NLS) import adaptor. We report the 3.1 A resolution structure of cargo-free Cse1, representing this HEAT repeat protein in its cytosolic state. Cse1 is compact, consisting of N- and C-terminal arches that interact to form a ring. Comparison with the structure of cargo-bound Cse1 shows a major conformational change leading to opening of the structure upon cargo binding. The largest structural changes occur within a hinge region centered at HEAT repeat 8. This repeat contains a conserved insertion that connects the RanGTP and importin alpha contact sites and that is essential for binding. In the cargo-free state, the RanGTP binding sites are occluded and the importin alpha sites are distorted. Mutations that destabilize the N- to C-terminal interaction uncouple importin alpha and Ran binding, suggesting that the closed conformation prevents association with importin alpha.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Nuclear localization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mcm2/Cdc19p requires MCM complex assembly.

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins MCM2-MCM7 are conserved eukaryotic replication factors that assemble in a heterohexameric complex. In fission yeast, these proteins are nuclear throughout the cell cycle. In studying the mechanism that regulates assembly of the MCM complex, we analyzed the cis and trans elements required for nuclear localization of a single subunit, Mcm2p. Mutation of any single mcm gene leads to redistribution of wild-type MCM subunits to the cytoplasm, and this redistribution depends on an active nuclear export system. We identified the nuclear localization signal sequences of Mcm2p and showed that these are required for nuclear targeting of other MCM subunits. In turn, Mcm2p must associate with other MCM proteins for its proper localization; nuclear localization of MCM proteins thus requires assembly of MCM proteins in a complex. We suggest that coupling complex assembly to nuclear targeting and retention ensures that only intact heterohexameric MCM complexes remain nuclear.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Transforming growth factor beta1 induces nuclear export of inhibitory Smad7.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signals from membrane to nucleus through serine/threonine kinase receptors and their downstream effector molecules, termed Smad proteins. Recently, Smad6 and Smad7 were identified, which antagonize TGF-beta family signaling by preventing the activation of signal-transducing Smad complexes. Here we report that Smad7, but not Smad6, inhibits TGF-beta1-induced growth inhibition and the expression of immediate early response genes, including Smad7. Interestingly, in the absence of ligand, Smad7 was found to be predominantly localized in the nucleus, whereas Smad7 accumulated in the cytoplasm upon TGF-beta receptor activation. The latter is in accordance with the physical association of Smad7 with the ligand-activated TGF-beta receptor complex in the cell membrane. Whereas the ectopically expressed C-terminal domain of Smad7 was also exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm upon TGF-beta challenge, a Smad7 mutant with a small deletion at the C terminus or only the N-terminal domain of Smad7 was localized mainly in the cytoplasm in the absence or presence of ligand. This suggests that an intact Mad homology 2 domain is important for nuclear localization of Smad7. The nuclear localization of Smad7 suggests a functional role distinct from its antagonistic effect in receptor-mediated Smad activation.

Animals↗

Nuclear export of Far1p in response to pheromones requires the export receptor Msn5p/Ste21p.

Far1p is a bifunctional protein that is required to arrest the cell cycle and to establish cell polarity during yeast mating. Far1p is localized predominantly in the nucleus but accumulates in the cytoplasm in cells exposed to pheromones. Here we show that Far1p functions in both subcellular compartments: nuclear Far1p is required to arrest the cell cycle, whereas cytoplasmic Far1p is involved in the establishment of cell polarity. The subcellular localization of Far1p is regulated by two mechanisms: (1) Far1p contains a functional bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS), and (2) Far1p is exported from the nucleus by Msn5p/Ste21p, a member of the exportin family. Cells deleted for Msn5p/Ste21p failed to export Far1p in response to pheromones, whereas overexpression of Msn5p/Ste21p was sufficient to accumulate Far1p in the cytoplasm in the absence of pheromones. Msn5p/Ste21p was localized in the nucleus and interacted with Far1p in a manner dependent on GTP-bound Gsp1p. Two-hybrid analysis identified a small fragment within Far1p that is necessary and sufficient for binding to Msn5p/Ste21p, and is also required to export Far1p in vivo. Finally, similar to Deltamsn5/ste21 strains, cells expressing a mutant Far1p, which can no longer be exported, exhibit a mating defect, but are able to arrest their cell cycle in response to pheromones. Taken together, our results suggest that nuclear export of Far1p by Msn5p/Ste21p coordinates the two separable functions of Far1p during mating.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Retinoid X receptor regulates Nur77/TR3-dependent apoptosis [corrected] by modulating its nuclear export and mitochondrial targeting.

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) plays a central role in the regulation of intracellular receptor signaling pathways by acting as a ubiquitous heterodimerization partner of many nuclear receptors, including the orphan receptor Nur77 (also known as TR3 [corrected] or NGFI-B), which translocates from the nucleus to mitochondria, where it interacts with Bcl-2 to induce apoptosis. Here, we report that RXRalpha is required for nuclear export and mitochondrial targeting of Nur77 through their unique heterodimerization that is mediated by dimerization interfaces located in their DNA-binding domain. The effects of RXRalpha are attributed to a putative nuclear export sequence (NES) present in its carboxyl-terminal region. RXRalpha ligands suppress NES activity by inducing RXRalpha homodimerization or altering RXRalpha/Nur77 heterodimerization. The RXRalpha NES is also silenced by RXRalpha heterodimerization with retinoic acid receptor or vitamin D receptor. Consistently, we were able to show that the mitochondrial targeting of the RXRalpha/Nur77 heterodimer and its induction of apoptosis are potently inhibited by RXR ligands. Together, our results reveal a novel nongenotropic function of RXRalpha and its involvement in the regulation of the Nur77-dependent apoptotic pathway [corrected]

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Ca2+-dependent nuclear export mediated by calreticulin.

We have characterized a pathway for nuclear export of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in mammalian cells. This pathway involves the Ca2+ -binding protein calreticulin (CRT), which directly contacts the DNA binding domain (DBD) of GR and facilitates its delivery from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In the present study, we investigated the role of Ca2+ in CRT-dependent export of GR. We found that removal of Ca2+ from CRT inhibits its capacity to stimulate the nuclear export of GR in digitonin-permeabilized cells and that the inhibition is due to the failure of Ca2+-free CRT to bind the DBD. These effects are reversible, since DBD binding and nuclear export can be restored by Ca2+ addition. Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ inhibits GR export in intact cells under conditions that do not inhibit other nuclear transport pathways, suggesting that there is a Ca2+ requirement for GR export in vivo. We also found that the Ran GTPase is not required for GR export. These data show that the nuclear export pathway used by steroid hormone receptors such as GR is distinct from the Crm1 pathway. We suggest that signaling events that increase Ca2+ could positively regulate CRT and inhibit GR function through nuclear export.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Identification of an NTF2-related factor that binds Ran-GTP and regulates nuclear protein export.

Active transport of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm requires signals for import and export and their recognition by shuttling receptors. Each class of macromolecule is thought to have a distinct receptor that mediates the transport reaction. Assembly and disassembly reactions of receptor-substrate complexes are coordinated by Ran, a GTP-binding protein whose nucleotide state is regulated catalytically by effector proteins. Ran function is modulated in a noncatalytic fashion by NTF2, a protein that mediates nuclear import of Ran-GDP. Here we characterize a novel component of the Ran system that is 26% identical to NTF2, which based on its function we refer to as NTF2-related export protein 1 (NXT1). In contrast to NTF2, NXT1 preferentially binds Ran-GTP, and it colocalizes with the nuclear pore complex (NPC) in mammalian cells. These properties, together with the fact that NXT1 shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, suggest an active role in nuclear transport. Indeed, NXT1 stimulates nuclear protein export of the NES-containing protein PKI in vitro. The export function of NXT1 is blocked by the addition of leptomycin B, a compound that selectively inhibits the NES receptor Crm1. Thus, NXT1 regulates the Crm1-dependent export pathway through its direct interaction with Ran-GTP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The CRM1 nuclear export receptor controls pathological cardiac gene expression.

Diverse pathological insults trigger a cardiac remodeling process during which myocytes undergo hypertrophy, with consequent decline in cardiac function and eventual heart failure. Multiple transcriptional regulators of pathological cardiac hypertrophy are controlled at the level of subcellular distribution. For example, prohypertrophic transcription factors belonging to the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and GATA families are subject to CRM1-dependent nuclear export but are rapidly relocalized to the nucleus in response to cues for hypertrophic growth. Here, we demonstrate that the antihypertrophic chromatin-modifying enzyme histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) is shuttled out of the cardiomyocyte nucleus via a CRM1-mediated pathway in response to diverse signals for hypertrophy. CRM1 antagonists block the agonist-mediated nuclear export of HDAC 5 and repress pathological gene expression and associated hypertrophy of cultured cardiomyocytes. Conversely, CRM1 activity is dispensable for nonpathological cardiac gene activation mediated by thyroid hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1, agonists that fail to trigger the nuclear export of HDAC5. These results suggest a selective role for CRM1 in derepression of pathological cardiac genes via its neutralizing effects on antihypertrophic factors such as HDAC5. Pharmacological approaches targeting CRM1-dependent nuclear export in heart muscle may have salutary effects on cardiac function by suppressing maladaptive changes in gene expression evoked by stress signals.

Adenoviridae↗

Asymmetric cortical and nuclear localizations of WRM-1/beta-catenin during asymmetric cell division in C. elegans.

beta-Catenin can promote adhesion at the cell cortex and mediate Wnt signaling in the nucleus. We show that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, both WRM-1/beta-catenin and LIT-1 kinase localize to the anterior cell cortex during asymmetric cell division but to the nucleus of the posterior daughter afterward. Both the cortical and nuclear localizations are regulated by Wnts and are apparently coupled. We also found that the daughters show different nuclear export rates for LIT-1. Our results indicate that Wnt signals release cortical WRM-1 from the posterior cortex to generate cortical asymmetry that may control WRM-1 asymmetric nuclear localization by regulating cell polarity.

Animals↗