Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Nuclear Export Signals”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources

Inositol polyphosphate kinases: regulators of nuclear function.

Recent work has uncovered roles for inositide signalling pathways downstream of phospholipase C activation and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the regulation of nuclear processes including gene expression, mRNA export and DNA metabolism. The identification of several IPKs (inositol polyphosphate kinases) has renewed interest in the cellular roles of inositol tetra-, penta-, hexa- and pyro-phosphates. Discoveries of inositide receptors and novel mechanisms of inositide action have provided important insights into how such messengers couple to nuclear machinery. In this chapter, we discuss the IPK family members and the nuclear processes that their inositide products regulate.

Animals↗

Molecular mechanisms that regulate transcription factor localization suggest new targets for drug development.

The distinctive nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of a eukaryote cell requires that metabolic processes which occur in the nucleus, such as gene transcription, are coordinated with related processes which occur in the cytoplasm. The steady state nuclear abundance of many transcription factors is the net outcome of a dynamic balance between nuclear import and nuclear export. Nuclear import and nuclear export mechanisms that govern the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of transcription factors are regulated at multiple levels, including post-translational modifications that alter the accessibility of cis-acting transport signals, binding and release from compartment-specific anchors, and the selective utilization of specific transport factors or specific nucleoporins. The net nuclear abundance of a transcription factor represents the integrated sum of multiple signal transduction pathways. Mechanisms that regulate nucleocytoplasmic transport of transcription factors may provide novel opportunities for drug development.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Molecular trafficking across the nuclear pore complex.

The nuclear pore complex is the gateway for protein and RNA transport between the cytoplasm and nucleus. Recent work has characterized signals and components involved in nuclear import of macromolecules and has described mechanisms for transport regulation. Advances in understanding the structure of the pore complex are starting to provide a framework for interpreting the biochemistry of nuclear import. Information on the export of RNA from the nucleus is only beginning to emerge.

Animals↗

Phosphoinositide-dependent phosphorylation of PDK1 regulates nuclear translocation.

3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) phosphorylates the activation loop of a number of protein serine/threonine kinases of the AGC kinase superfamily, including protein kinase B (PKB; also called Akt), serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase, protein kinase C isoforms, and the p70 ribosomal S6 kinase. PDK1 contains a carboxyl-terminal pleckstrin homology domain, which targets phosphoinositide lipids at the plasma membrane and is central to the activation of PKB. However, PDK1 subcellular trafficking to other compartments is not well understood. We monitored the posttranslational modifications of PDK1 following insulin-like growth factor 1 stimulation. PDK1 underwent rapid and transient phosphorylation on S396, which was dependent upon plasma membrane localization. Phosphorylation of S396 was necessary for nuclear shuttling of PDK1, possibly through its influence on an adjacent nuclear export sequence. Thus, mitogen-stimulated phosphorylation of PDK1 provides a means for directed PDK1 subcellular trafficking, with potential implications for PDK1 signaling.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Expression of exogenous Sam68, the 68-kilodalton SRC-associated protein in mitosis, is able to alleviate impaired Rev function in astrocytes.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gene expression in astrocytes is restricted, resulting in a brief and limited synthesis of HIV-1 viral structural proteins. Impaired Rev function has been documented in these cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the impaired Rev function are not fully understood. Using the astroglial cell line U87.MG as a model, we report here that HIV-1 gene expression down-regulated expression of Sam68, the 68-kDa Src-associated protein in mitosis, which was constitutively expressed at a lower level in astrocytes. Elevating the endogenous level of Sam68 expression considerably restored HIV-1 Rev function in astrocytes, as determined by a Rev-dependent reporter gene assay. However, elevation of Sam68 expression achieved only a modest increase in HIV-1 production, further supporting the notion that there are multiple cellular restrictions of HIV-1 gene expression in astrocytes. Mutagenesis analysis identified the region between amino acids 321 and 410 of Sam68 as being directly involved in the binding of Sam68 to Rev, while a double mutation in Rev, L78D and E79L, like those in the dominant-negative Rev mutant M10, eliminated Rev binding to Sam68. Moreover, subcellular fractionation and digital fluorescence microscopic imaging revealed that Sam68 expression promoted Rev nuclear export. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that a lower level of constitutive Sam68 expression, followed by further down-regulation by HIV-1 infection, contributes to impaired Rev function in astrocytes, and they suggest that Sam68 may play an important role in Rev nuclear export.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Direct participation of Sam68, the 68-kilodalton Src-associated protein in mitosis, in the CRM1-mediated Rev nuclear export pathway.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication requires efficient nuclear export of incompletely spliced and unspliced HIV-1 mRNA transcripts, which is achieved by Rev expression at an early stage of the viral life cycle. We have recently shown that expression of Sam68, the 68-kDa Src-associated protein in mitosis, is able to alleviate Rev function block in astrocytes by promoting Rev nuclear export. In the present study, we utilized an antisense RNA expression strategy to down-modulate constitutive Sam68 expression and examined its effect on Rev function, HIV-1 gene expression, and viral replication. These results showed that down-modulation of constitutive Sam68 expression markedly inhibited HIV-1 production in 293T cells and viral replication in T lymphocytes such as Jurkat and CEM cells, as well as human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Rev-dependent in trans complementation and reporter gene assays further demonstrated that inhibition of HIV-1 gene expression by Sam68 down-modulation was due to impeded Rev activity. Moreover, digital fluorescence microscopic imaging revealed that down-modulation of Sam68 expression caused exclusive nuclear retention and colocalization of both Rev and CRM1. Taken together, these data suggest that adequate Sam68 expression is required for Rev function and, thereby, for HIV-1 gene expression and viral replication, and they support the notion that Sam68 is directly involved in the CRM1-mediated Rev nuclear export pathway.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

A possible explanation for the multiple polyadenylation sites in transcripts coding for a winged-bean leghemoglobin.

Five different copy DNA clones coding for the same leghemoglobin were isolated from a winged-bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) nodule library. Although identical in sequence, they each possess a different side of polyadenylation located 93-128 nucleotides downstream of two overlapping AAUAAA putative signal sequences. By analysis of the untranslated 3' ends, a potential mRNA secondary structure can be predicted which could explain the observed polyadenylation heterogeneity. The structure is a size-variable hairpin, creating a net topological distance of 25-27 nucleotides between the canonical signal sequence and the different polyadenylation sites observed. We suggest that this type of variable secondary structure could be one among other causes that determines the apparent flexibility of plant polyadenylation. It could also confer particular properties to the mRNA in relation to stability, translation efficiency and-or nuclear export.

Base Sequence↗

Oxa1p, an essential component of the N-tail protein export machinery in mitochondria.

A number of nuclear encoded inner membrane proteins of mitochondria span the membrane in such a manner that their N termini are located in the intermembrane space. Many of these proteins attain this membrane orientation by undergoing an export step from the matrix across the inner membrane. This export process, which resembles bacterial N-tail export from energetic and topogenic signal requirements, is facilitated by Oxa1p, a protein that has homologues throughout prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Oxa1p, as we have previously shown, is required to export the N and C termini of the mitochondrially encoded pCoxII to the intermembrane space. We demonstrate here that imported nuclear encoded proteins physically interact with Oxa1p and depend on Oxa1p for efficient export of their N termini to the intermembrane space. Furthermore, Oxa1p interacts with nascent polypeptide chains synthesized in mitochondria, including the fully synthesized pCoxII and CoxIII species. Thus, Oxa1p represents a component of a general export machinery of the mitochondrial inner membrane.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of steroid-free glucocorticoid receptor.

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) recycles between an inactive form complexed with heat shock proteins (hsps) and localized to the cytoplasm and a free liganded form that regulates specific gene transcription in the nucleus. We report here that, contrary to previous assumptions, association of GR into hsp-containing complexes is not sufficient to prevent the shuttling or trafficking of the GR across the nuclear membrane. Following the withdrawal of treatment with cortisol or the hormone antagonist RU486, GRs recycled rapidly into hsp-associated, hormone-responsive complexes. However, cortisol-withdrawn receptors redistributed to the cytoplasm very slowly (t(1)/(2) = 8-9 h) and RU486-withdrawn receptors not at all. Persistent localization of these GRs to the nucleus was not due to a gross defect in export, since in both instances the complexed nuclear GRs transferred efficiently between heterokaryon nuclei. Moreover, the addition of a nuclear retention signal to the N terminus of GR induced the transfer of naive receptor to the nucleus in the absence of steroid. These results suggest that the localization of GR to the cytoplasm is determined by fine control of the rates of transfer of GR across the nuclear membrane and/or by active retention that occurs independently from the association of GR with hsps.

3T3 Cells↗

T7 RNA polymerase-directed transcripts are processed in yeast and link 3' end formation to mRNA nuclear export.

We have characterized transcripts synthesized in vivo by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase to investigate yeast mRNA processing. T7 transcripts are not capped, consistent with capping being tightly coupled to RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription. In contrast to higher eukaryotic non-pol II transcripts, yeast T7 transcripts are spliced as well as cleaved and polyadenylated. However, T7 and pol II transcripts are affected differently in cleavage and polyadenylation mutant strains, indicating that pol II may have a role in yeast 3' end formation. T7 transcripts with 3' ends directed by a polyadenylation signal are exported from the nucleus, and this export is dependent on the canonical cleavage and polyadenylation machinery. Importantly, transcripts with T7 terminator-directed 3' ends are unadenylated and predominantly nuclear in wild-type cells. Our results suggest that transcription by pol II is required for neither the nuclear export of an in vivo-transcribed mRNA nor for the retention of transcripts with aberrant 3' ends. Moreover, proper 3' end formation may be necessary and sufficient to promote mRNA export in yeast.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Inhibition of myogenesis by transforming growth factor beta is density-dependent and related to the translocation of transcription factor MEF2 to the cytoplasm.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) was found to inhibit differentiation of myogenic cells only when they were grown to high density. Inhibition also occurred when myogenic cells were cocultured with other types of mesenchymal cells but not when they were cocultured with epithelial cells. It is therefore possible that some density-dependent signaling mediates the intracellular response to TGF-beta. Within 30 min of treatment, TGF-beta induced translocation of MEF2, but not MyoD, myogenin, or p21, to the cytoplasm of myogenic cells grown to high density. Translocation was reversible on withdrawal of TGF-beta. By using immune electron microscopy and Western blot analysis on subcellular fractions, MEF2 was shown to be tightly associated with cytoskeleton membrane components. To test whether MEF2 export from the nucleus was causally related to the inhibitory action of TGF-beta, we transfected C2C12 myoblasts with MEF2C containing the nuclear localization signal of simian virus 40 large T antigen (nlsSV40). Myogenic cells expressing the chimerical MEF2C/nlsSV40, but not wild-type MEF2C, retained this transcription factor in the nucleus and were resistant to the inhibitory action of TGF-beta. We propose a mechanism in which the inhibition of myogenesis by TGF-beta is mediated through MEF2 localization to the cytoplasm, thus preventing it from participating in an active transcriptional complex.

Animals↗

Synthetic peptides as nuclear localization signals.

The nuclear envelope defines a compartment boundary which is penetrated by pores that mediate a remarkable transport process. Precursor RNAs are retained in the nucleus, while processed messenger RNA, transfer RNA and ribosomal subunits are transported to the cytoplasm. Proteins destined for the nucleus become localized soon after synthesis and again following mitosis, while cytoplasmic proteins are excluded. The process is highly specific: a single base change in vertebrate initiator tRNAMet (tRNAiMet) reduces the rate of export 20-fold; a point mutation within the simian virus 40 (SV40) large-T antigen, converting Lys 128 to Thr or Asn, prevents import. Lys 128 lies within a short 'signal' sequence which, when fused to large non-nuclear proteins, causes their accumulation in nuclei. Regions of other eukaryotic proteins also seem to contain nuclear localization signals, although a single consensus sequence has not emerged. We report here that a synthetic peptide containing 10 residues of large-T antigen sequence serves as a nuclear localization signal when cross-linked to bovine serum albumin (BSA) or immunoglobulin G (IgG) and microinjected in Xenopus oocytes. Substitution of Thr at the position of Lys 128 in this peptide renders it six- to sevenfold less effective. The uptake of peptide-linked BSA is saturable, and the rate is diminished by co-injection of free peptide. These findings are indicative of a receptor-mediated uptake process. With the use of anti-peptide antibodies, a family of proteins is revealed in nuclear but not cytoplasmic extracts of human lymphocytes which contain large-T antigen-like sequences.

Animals↗

Transportin-mediated nuclear import of heterogeneous nuclear RNP proteins.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 is an abundant nuclear protein that plays an important role in pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export from the nucleus. A1 shuttles rapidly between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, and a 38-amino acid domain, M9, serves as the bidirectional transport signal of A1. Recently, a 90-kD protein, transportin, was identified as the mediator of A1 nuclear import. In this study, we show that transportin mediates the nuclear import of additional hnRNP proteins, including hnRNP F. We have also isolated and sequenced a novel transportin homolog, transportin2, which may differ from transportin1 in its substrate specificity. Immunostaining shows that transportin1 is localized both in the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm, and nuclear rim staining is also observed. The nuclear localization of A1 is dependent on ongoing RNA polymerase II transcription. Interestingly, a pyruvate kinase-M9 fusion, which normally localizes in the nucleus, also accumulates in the cytoplasm when RNA polymerase II is inhibited. Thus, M9 itself is a specific sensor for transcription-dependent nuclear transport. Transportin1-A1 complexes can be isolated from the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm, but transportin1 is not detectable in hnRNP complexes. RanGTP causes dissociation of A1-transportin1 complexes in vitro. Thus, it is likely that after nuclear import, A1 dissociates from transportin1 by RanGTP and becomes incorporated into hnRNP complexes, where A1 functions in pre-mRNA processing.

Animals↗

Exchange of N-CoR corepressor and Tip60 coactivator complexes links gene expression by NF-kappaB and beta-amyloid precursor protein.

Defining the molecular mechanisms that integrate diverse signaling pathways at the level of gene transcription remains a central issue in biology. Here, we demonstrate that interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) causes nuclear export of a specific N-CoR corepressor complex, resulting in derepression of a specific subset of NF-kappaB-regulated genes, exemplified by the tetraspanin KAI1 that regulates membrane receptor function. Nuclear export of the N-CoR/TAB2/HDAC3 complex by IL-1beta is temporally linked to selective recruitment of a Tip60 coactivator complex. Surprisingly, KAI1 is also directly activated by a ternary complex, dependent on the acetyltransferase activity of Tip60, consisting of the presenilin-dependent C-terminal cleavage product of the amyloid beta precursor protein (APP), Fe65, and Tip60, identifying a specific in vivo gene target of an APP-dependent transcription complex in the brain.

Acetyltransferases↗

Importance of class II transactivator leucine-rich repeats for dominant-negative function and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport.

Class II transactivator (CIITA), the master regulator of MHC class II (MHC-II) gene transcription, shows a complex behavior in terms of self-association, nucleo-cytoplasmic transport and MHC-II gene transactivation. Here, we analyzed the mechanisms of dominant-negative function and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of CIITA with emphasis on the role of the C-terminal leucine-rich-repeat (LRR) region in these processes. First, we determined nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of endogenous CIITA and thus validated results obtained with epitope-tagged CIITA constructs. LRR mutations in potential protein-protein contact positions lead to either completely blocked or reduced nuclear import, but can also give rise to increased nuclear export. Surprisingly, N-terminally truncated CIITA mutants show dominant-negative inhibition of wild-type CIITA, whether they are located in the nucleus or in the cytoplasm. Integrity of the LRR is necessary for the dominant-negative function of both types of mutants. LRR mutations are dominant over the effect of an exogenously added N-terminal nuclear localization signal (NLS) leading to cytoplasmic localization. Taken together, our results show that the LRR regulate the function of one or several NLS within CIITA, and control both nuclear import and export. Self-association is not affected in these mutants; we therefore suggest that interaction of the LRR with an unknown protein partner may be necessary for import and transactivation function of CIITA.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Opposing functions of TFII-I spliced isoforms in growth factor-induced gene expression.

Multifunctional transcription factor TFII-I has two spliced isoforms (Delta and beta) in murine fibroblasts. Here we show that these isoforms have distinct subcellular localization and mutually exclusive transcription functions in the context of growth factor signaling. In the absence of signaling, TFII-Ibeta is nuclear and recruited to the c-fos promoter in vivo. But upon growth factor stimulation, the promoter recruitment is abolished and it is exported out of the nucleus. Moreover, isoform-specific silencing of TFII-Ibeta results in transcriptional activation of the c-fos gene. In contrast, TFII-IDelta is largely cytoplasmic in the resting state but translocates to the nucleus upon growth factor signaling, undergoes signal-induced recruitment to the same site on the c-fos promoter, and activates the gene. Importantly, activated TFII-IDelta interacts with Erk1/2 (MAPK) kinase in the cell cytoplasm and imports the Erk1/2 to the nucleus, thereby transducing growth factor signaling. Our results identify a unique growth factor signaling pathway controlled by opposing activities of two TFII-I spliced isoforms.

3T3 Cells↗

Reversible inhibition of protein import into the nucleus by wheat germ agglutinin injected into cultured cells.

The importance of glycoproteins located in the nuclear envelope in nuclear transport was tested by microinjection of karyophilic proteins into the cytoplasm of cultured human cells together with various lectins. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) blocked the nuclear transport of nucleoplasmin, a nuclear protein of Xenopus laevis oocytes, and of nonnuclear proteins conjugated with a synthetic peptide containing the nuclear localization signal sequence for simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen. Its inhibitory activity persisted for about 1 h after its injection into the cells and then gradually decreased. Export of at least some kinds of RNA from the nucleus seemed not to be affected by WGA even when import of the proteins into the nucleus was completely blocked (within 1 h after WGA injection). Moreover, WGA did not inhibit the passive diffusion of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (average Mr 17,900) into the nucleus. Wistaria floribunda agglutinin (WFA), concanavalin A (Con A), and lentil lectin did not block nuclear transport. These results indicate that WGA specifically blocks active protein import, but not passive diffusion of materials into the nucleus.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Nuclear condensation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element-binding protein in discrete murine brain structures.

We have directed a polyclonal antibody against an oligo-peptide (123-136) of the transcription factor cyclic AMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) including the serine residue at 133. Rabbit sera were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by affinity chromatography to homogeneity on one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified antibody not only induced marked supershift of CREB binding, without affecting binding of activator protein-1 on gel retardation electrophoresis, but also differentiated between CREB and CREB phosphorylated at serine133 in brain nuclear fractions on Western blotting. Immunoreactive CREB was detected in both cytosolic and nuclear fractions of discrete murine brain structures but was more highly condensed in cerebellum than in neocortex and hippocampus. Incubation of brain nuclear fractions led to a marked export of immunoreactive CREB in a temperature-dependent manner, whereas the temperature-dependent export activity was significantly lower in cerebellum than in other brain structures. Suppression of general new protein synthesis by cycloheximide (500 mg/kg, i.p.) in vivo resulted in a significant decrease in the nuclear CREB level, with a concomitant increase in the cytosolic level in hippocampus, but not in cerebellum. These results suggest that the nuclear export activity might vary from region to region in murine brains through a hitherto unidentified mechanism other than the nuclear localization signal, to result in different nuclear condensation ratios for subsequent elicitation of differential transcriptional activities by the constitutive transcription factor CREB in the nucleus.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗