RNA1 encodes a GTPase-activating protein specific for Gsp1p, the Ran/TC4 homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A 5'-tRNA halve, tiRNA-Gly promotes cell proliferation and migration via binding to RBM17 and inducing alternative splicing in papillary thyroid cancer

Background

tRNA-derived small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) are mainly categorized into tRNA halves (tiRNAs) and fragments (tRFs). Biological functions of tiRNAs in human solid tumor are attracting more and more attention, but researches concerning the mechanisms in tiRNAs-mediated tumorigenesis are rarely. The direct regulatory relationship between tiRNAs and splicing-related proteins remain elusive.

Methods

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) associated tRNA fragments were screened by tRNA fragments deep sequencing and validated by qRT-PCR and Northern Blot in PTC tissues. The biological function of tRNA fragments were assessed by cell counting kit, transwells and subcutaneous transplantation tumor of nude mice. For mechanistic study, tRNA fragments pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, Western Blot, Immunofluorescence, Immunohistochemical staining were performed.

Results

Herein, we have identified a 33 nt tiRNA-Gly significantly increases in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) based on tRFs & tiRNAs sequencing. The ectopic expression of tiRNA-Gly promotes cell proliferation and migration, whereas down-regulation of tiRNA-Gly exhibits reverse effects. Mechanistic investigations reveal tiRNA-Gly directly bind the UHM domain of a splicing-related RNA-binding protein RBM17. The interaction with tiRNA-Gly could translocate RBM17 from cytoplasm into nucleus. In addition, tiRNA-Gly increases RBM17 protein expression via inhibiting its degradation in a ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent way. Moreover, RBM17 level in tiRNA-Gly high-expressing human PTC tissues is upregulated. In vivo mouse model shows that suppression of tiRNA-Gly decreases RBM17 expression. Importantly, tiRNA-Gly can induce exon 16 splicing of MAP4K4 mRNA leading to phosphorylation of downstream signaling pathway, which is RBM17 dependent.

Conclusions

Our study firstly illustrates tiRNA-Gly can directly bind to RBM17 and display oncogenic effect via RBM17-mediated alternative splicing. This fully novel model broadens our understanding of molecular mechanism in which tRNA fragment in tumor cells directly bind RNA binding protein and play a role in alternative splicing.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02024-3.

DEFECTIVE EMBRYO AND MERISTEMS genes are required for cell division and gamete viability in Arabidopsis

The DEFECTIVE EMBRYO AND MERISTEMS 1 (DEM1) gene encodes a protein of unknown biochemical function required for meristem formation and seedling development in tomato, but it was unclear whether DEM1’s primary role was in cell division or alternatively, in defining the identity of meristematic cells. Genome sequence analysis indicates that flowering plants possess at least two DEM genes. Arabidopsis has two DEM genes, DEM1 and DEM2, which we show are expressed in developing embryos and meristems in a punctate pattern that is typical of genes involved in cell division. Homozygous dem1 dem2 double mutants were not recovered, and plants carrying a single functional DEM1 allele and no functional copies of DEM2, i.e. DEM1/dem1 dem2/dem2 plants, exhibit normal development through to the time of flowering but during male reproductive development, chromosomes fail to align on the metaphase plate at meiosis II and result in abnormal numbers of daughter cells following meiosis. Additionally, these plants show defects in both pollen and embryo sac development, and produce defective male and female gametes. In contrast, dem1/dem1 DEM2/dem2 plants showed normal levels of fertility, indicating that DEM2 plays a more important role than DEM1 in gamete viability. The increased importance of DEM2 in gamete viability correlated with higher mRNA levels of DEM2 compared to DEM1 in most tissues examined and particularly in the vegetative shoot apex, developing siliques, pollen and sperm. We also demonstrate that gamete viability depends not only on the number of functional DEM alleles inherited following meiosis, but also on the number of functional DEM alleles in the parent plant that undergoes meiosis. Furthermore, DEM1 interacts with RAS-RELATED NUCLEAR PROTEIN 1 (RAN1) in yeast two-hybrid and pull-down binding assays, and we show that fluorescent proteins fused to DEM1 and RAN1 co-localize transiently during male meiosis and pollen development. In eukaryotes, RAN is a highly conserved GTPase that plays key roles in cell cycle progression, spindle assembly during cell division, reformation of the nuclear envelope following cell division, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. Our results demonstrate that DEM proteins play an essential role in cell division in plants, most likely through an interaction with RAN1.

Up to half of the genes predicted from genome projects lack a known biological and biochemical function. Many of these genes are likely to play essential roles but it is difficult to reveal their function because minor changes in the genetic sequence can result in lethality and genetic redundancy can obscure analysis. Genome projects predict that flowering plants have at least two DEM genes that encode a protein of unknown cellular and biochemical function. In this paper, we use multiple combinations of dem mutants in Arabidopsis to show that DEM genes are essential for cell division and gamete viability. Interestingly, gamete viability depends not only on the number of functional copies of DEM genes in the gametes, but also on the number of functional copies of DEM genes in the parent plant that produces the gametes. We also show that DEM proteins interact with RAN, a highly conserved protein that controls cell division in all eukaryotic organisms.

Dissecting the roles of Cse1 and Nup2 in classical NLS-cargo release in vivo

The importin α/β transport machinery mediates the nuclear import of cargo proteins that bear a classical nuclear localization sequence (cNLS). These cargo proteins are linked to the major nuclear protein import factor, importin‐β, by the importin‐α adapter, after which cargo/carrier complexes enter the nucleus through nuclear pores. In the nucleus, cargo is released by the action of RanGTP and the nuclear pore protein Nup2, after which the importins are recycled to the cytoplasm for further transport cycles. The nuclear export of importin‐α is mediated by Cse1/CAS. Here, we exploit structures of functionally important complexes to identify residues that are critical for these interactions and provide insight into how cycles of protein import and recycling of importin‐α occur in vivo using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. We examine how these molecular interactions impact protein localization, cargo import, function and complex formation. We show that reversing the charge of key residues in importin‐α (Arg44) or Cse1 (Asp220) results in loss of function of the respective proteins and impairs complex formation both in vitro and in vivo. To extend these results, we show that basic residues in the Nup2 N‐terminus are required for both Nup2 interaction with importin‐α and Nup2 function. These results provide a more comprehensive mechanistic model of how Cse1, RanGTP and Nup2 function in concert to mediate cNLS‐cargo release in the nucleus.

Directional transport of cargoes between the nucleus and cytoplasm is mediated by receptors that bind cargo in one compartment and release cargo into a destination compartment. Cargoes that contain a cNLS are recognized by importin‐α in the cytoplasm. Release factors including the importin‐α export receptor, Cse1, and a nuclear pore complex protein, Nup2, ensure efficient cargo delivery into the nucleus. Interactions defined by previous structural studies are required for productive interactions between importin‐α, Cse1, and Nup2 to occur in vivo.

The coming-of-age of nucleocytoplasmic transport in motor neuron disease and neurodegeneration

The nuclear pore is the gatekeeper of nucleocytoplasmic transport and signaling through which a vast flux of information is continuously exchanged between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments to maintain cellular homeostasis. A unifying and organizing principle has recently emerged that cements the notion that several forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and growing number of other neurodegenerative diseases, co-opt the dysregulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport and that this impairment is a pathogenic driver of neurodegeneration. The understanding of shared pathomechanisms that underpin neurodegenerative diseases with impairments in nucleocytoplasmic transport and how these interface with current concepts of nucleocytoplasmic transport is bound to illuminate this fundamental biological process in a yet more physiological context. Here, I summarize unresolved questions and evidence and extend basic and critical concepts and challenges of nucleocytoplasmic transport and its role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS. These principles will help to appreciate the roles of nucleocytoplasmic transport in the pathogenesis of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, and generate a framework for new ideas of the susceptibility of motoneurons, and possibly other neurons, to degeneration by dysregulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport.

Impact of Methods on the Measurement of mRNA Turnover

The turnover of the RNA molecules is determined by the rates of transcription and RNA degradation. Several methods have been developed to study RNA turnover since the beginnings of molecular biology. Here we summarize the main methods to measure RNA half-life: transcription inhibition, gene control, and metabolic labelling. These methods were used to detect the cellular activity of the mRNAs degradation machinery, including the exo-ribonuclease Xrn1 and the exosome. On the other hand, the study of the differential stability of mature RNAs has been hampered by the fact that different methods have often yielded inconsistent results. Recent advances in the systematic comparison of different method variants in yeast have permitted the identification of the least invasive methodologies that reflect half-lives the most faithfully, which is expected to open the way for a consistent quantitative analysis of the determinants of mRNA stability.

Intertwined control of the cell cycle and nucleocytoplasmic transport by the cyclin-dependent kinase Pho85 and RanGTPase Gsp1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Deciphering the molecular mechanisms that connect cell cycle progression and nucleocytoplasmic transport is of particular interest: this intertwined relationship, once understood, may provide useful insight on the diseases resulting from the malfunction of these processes. In the present study we report on findings that indicate a biochemical connection between the cell cycle regulator CDK Pho85 and Ran-GTPase Gsp1, an essential nucleocytoplasmic transport component. When Gsp1 cannot be phosphorylated by Pho85, the cell cycle progression is impaired. Accordingly, a nonphosphorylatable version of Gsp1 abnormally localizes to the nucleus, which impairs the nuclear transport of molecules, including key components of cell cycle progression. Furthermore, our results suggest that the physical interaction of Gsp1 and the Kap95 karyopherin, essential to the release of nuclear cargoes, is altered. Altogether, the present findings point to the involvement of a biochemical mechanism in the interlocked regulation of the cell cycle and nuclear transport.

Proteasome dynamics between proliferation and quiescence stages of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a critical role in cellular protein homeostasis and is required for the turnover of short-lived and unwanted proteins, which are targeted by poly-ubiquitination for degradation. Proteasome is the key protease of UPS and consists of multiple subunits, which are organized into a catalytic core particle (CP) and a regulatory particle (RP). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proteasome holo-enzymes are engaged in degrading poly-ubiquitinated substrates and are mostly localized in the nucleus during cell proliferation. While in quiescence, the RP and CP are sequestered into motile and reversible storage granules in the cytoplasm, called proteasome storage granules (PSGs). The reversible nature of PSGs allows the proteasomes to be transported back into the nucleus upon exit from quiescence. Nuclear import of RP and CP through nuclear pores occurs via the canonical pathway that includes the importin-αβ heterodimer and takes advantage of the Ran-GTP gradient across the nuclear membrane. Dependent on the growth stage, either inactive precursor complexes or mature holo-enzymes are imported into the nucleus. The present review discusses the dynamics of proteasomes including their assembly, nucleo-cytoplasmic transport during proliferation and the sequestration of proteasomes into PSGs during quiescence. [Formula: see text].

Virtual Nuclear Envelope Breakdown and Its Regulators in Fission Yeast Meiosis

Ran, a small GTPase, is required for the spindle formation and nuclear envelope (NE) formation. After NE breakdown (NEBD) during mitosis in metazoan cells, the Ran-GTP gradient across the NE is lost and Ran-GTP becomes concentrated around chromatin, thus affecting the stability of microtubules and promoting the assembly of spindle microtubules and segregation of chromosomes. Mitosis in which chromosomes are segregated subsequent to NEBD is called “open mitosis.” In contrast, many fungi undergo a process termed “closed mitosis” in which chromosome segregation and spindle formation occur without NEBD. Although the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe undergoes a closed mitosis, it exhibits a short period during meiosis (anaphase of the second meiosis; called “anaphase II”) when nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins are mixed in the presence of intact NE and nuclear pore complexes (NPC). This “virtual” nuclear envelope breakdown (vNEBD) involves changes in the localization of RanGAP1, an activator of Ran-GTP hydrolysis. Recently, Nup132, a component of the structural core Nup107-160 subcomplex of the NPC, has been shown to be involved in the maintenance of the nuclear cytoplasmic barrier in yeast meiosis. In this review, we highlight the possible roles of RanGAP1 and Nup132 in vNEBD and discuss the biological significance of vNEBD in S. pombe meiosis.

Mechanistic Insights from Structural Analyses of Ran-GTPase-Driven Nuclear Export of Proteins and RNAs

Understanding how macromolecules are rapidly exchanged between the nucleus and the cytoplasm through nuclear pore complexes is a fundamental problem in biology. Exportins are Ran-GTPase-dependent nuclear transport factors that belong to the karyopherin-β family and mediate nuclear export of a plethora of proteins and RNAs, except for bulk mRNA nuclear export. Exportins bind cargo macromolecules in a Ran-GTP-dependent manner in the nucleus, forming exportin-cargo-Ran-GTP complexes (nuclear export complexes). Transient weak interactions between exportins and nucleoporins containing characteristic FG (phenylalanine-glycine) repeat motifs facilitate nuclear pore complex passage of nuclear export complexes. In the cytoplasm, nuclear export complexes are disassembled, thereby releasing the cargo. GTP hydrolysis by Ran promoted in the cytoplasm makes the disassembly reaction virtually irreversible and provides thermodynamic driving force for the overall export reaction. In the past decade, X-ray crystallography of some of the exportins in various functional states coupled with functional analyses, single-particle electron microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and small-angle solution X-ray scattering has provided rich insights into the mechanism of cargo binding and release and also begins to elucidate how exportins interact with the FG repeat motifs. The knowledge gained from structural analyses of nuclear export is being translated into development of clinically useful inhibitors of nuclear export to treat human diseases such as cancer and influenza.

Separate responses of karyopherins to glucose and amino acid availability regulate nucleocytoplasmic transport

The subcellular distribution of yeast β-importins inverts upon acute glucose deprivation, likely due to collapse of the RanGTP nuclear–cytoplasmic gradient. This redistribution of β-importins likely results in rapid widespread alterations of the traffic of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm in response to glucose limitation.

The importin-β family members (karyopherins) mediate the majority of nucleocytoplasmic transport. Msn5 and Los1, members of the importin-β family, function in tRNA nuclear export. tRNAs move bidirectionally between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Nuclear tRNA accumulation occurs upon amino acid (aa) or glucose deprivation. To understand the mechanisms regulating tRNA subcellular trafficking, we investigated whether Msn5 and Los1 are regulated in response to nutrient availability. We provide evidence that tRNA subcellular trafficking is regulated by distinct aa-sensitive and glucose-sensitive mechanisms. Subcellular distributions of Msn5 and Los1 are altered upon glucose deprivation but not aa deprivation. Redistribution of tRNA exportins from the nucleus to the cytoplasm likely provides one mechanism for tRNA nuclear distribution upon glucose deprivation. We extended our studies to other members of the importin-β family and found that all tested karyopherins invert their subcellular distributions upon glucose deprivation but not aa deprivation. Glucose availability regulates the subcellular distributions of karyopherins likely due to alteration of the RanGTP gradient since glucose deprivation causes redistribution of Ran. Thus nuclear–cytoplasmic distribution of macromolecules is likely generally altered upon glucose deprivation due to collapse of the RanGTP gradient and redistribution of karyopherins between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

Amino acid residues required for Gtr1p-Gtr2p complex formation and its interactions with the Ego1p-Ego3p complex and TORC1 components in yeast

The yeast Ras-like GTPases Gtr1p and Gtr2p form a heterodimer, are implicated in the regulation of TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and play pivotal roles in cell growth. Gtr1p and Gtr2p bind Ego1p and Ego3p, which are tethered to the endosomal and vacuolar membranes where TORC1 functions are regulated through a relay of amino acid signaling interactions. The mechanisms by which Gtr1p and Gtr2p activate TORC1 remain obscure. We probed the interactions of the Gtr1p-Gtr2p complex with the Ego1p-Ego3p complex and TORC1 subunits. Mutations in the region (179-220 a.a.) following the nucleotide-binding region of Gtr1p and Gtr2p abrogated their mutual interaction and resulted in a loss in function, suggesting that complex formation between Gtr1p and Gtr2p was indispensable for TORC1 function. A modified yeast two-hybrid assay showed that Gtr1p-Gtr2p complex formation is important for its interaction with the Ego1p-Ego3p complex. GTP-bound Gtr1p interacted with the region containing the HEAT repeats of Kog1p and the C-terminal region of Tco89p. The GTP-bound Gtr2p suppressed a Kog1p mutation. Our findings indicate that the interactions of the Gtr1p-Gtr2p complex with the Ego1p-Ego3p complex and TORC1 components Kog1p and Tco89p play a role in TORC1 function.

Cex1p facilitates Rna1p-mediated dissociation of the Los1p-tRNA-Gsp1p-GTP export complex

Nuclear tRNA export plays an essential role in key cellular processes such as regulation of protein synthesis, cell cycle progression, response to nutrient availability and DNA damage and development. Like other nuclear export processes, assembly of the nuclear tRNA export complex in the nucleus is dependent on Ran-GTP/Gsp1p-GTP, and dissociation of the export receptor-tRNA-Ran-GTP/Gsp1p-GTP complex in the cytoplasm requires RanBP1/Yrb1p and RanGAP/Rna1p to activate the GTPase activity of Ran-GTP/Gsp1p-GTP. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cex1p and Human Scyl1 have also been proposed to participate in unloading of the tRNA export receptors at the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Here, we provide evidence suggesting that Cex1p is required for activation of the GTPase activity of Gsp1p and dissociation of the receptor-tRNA-Gsp1p export complex in S. cerevisiae. The data suggest that Cex1p recruits Rna1p from the cytoplasm to the NPC and facilitates Rna1p activation of the GTPase activity of Gsp1p by enabling Rna1p to gain access to Gsp1p-GTP bound to the export receptor tRNA complex. It is possible that this tRNA unloading mechanism is conserved in evolutionarily diverse organisms and that other Gsp1p-GTP-dependent export processes use a pathway-specific component to recruit Rna1p to the NPC.

Ran-dependent nuclear export mediators: a structural perspective

Nuclear export is an essential eukaryotic activity. It proceeds through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and is mediated by soluble receptors that shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm. RanGTPase-dependent export mediators (exportins) constitute the largest class of these carriers and are functionally highly versatile. All of these exportins load their substrates in response to RanGTP binding in the nucleus and traverse NPCs as ternary RanGTP-exportin-cargo complexes to the cytoplasm, where GTP hydrolysis leads to export complex disassembly. The different exportins vary greatly in their substrate range. Recent structural studies of both protein- and RNA-specific exporters have illuminated how exportins bind their cargoes, how Ran triggers cargo loading and how export complexes are disassembled in the cytoplasm. Here, we review the current state of knowledge and highlight emerging principles as well as prevailing questions.

Probing a structural model of the nuclear pore complex channel through molecular dynamics

The central pore of a nuclear pore complex (NPC) is filled with unstructured proteins that contain many FG-repeats separated by hydrophilic regions. An example of such protein is nsp1. By simulating an array of nsp1 segments, we identified, in an earlier study, a spontaneously formed brushlike structure that promises to explain selective transport in the NPC channel. Here we report four (350,000 atom, 200 ns) simulations probing this structure via its interaction with transport receptor NTF2 as well as with an inert protein. NTF2 dimers are observed to gradually enter the brush, but the inert protein is not. Both NTF2 and the inert protein are found to bind to FG-repeats, but binding periods lasted more briefly for the inert protein. A simulation also investigated the behavior of a brush made of mutant nsp1 that is known to be less effective in NPC-selective transport, finding that this brush does not attract NTF2.

The role of the nuclear transport system in cell differentiation

The eukaryotic cell nuclear transport system selectively mediates molecular trafficking to facilitate the regulation of cellular processes. The components of this system include diverse transport factors such as importins and nuclear pore components that are precisely organized to coordinate cellular events. A number of studies have demonstrated that the nuclear transport system is indispensible in many types of cellular responses. In particular, the nuclear transport machinery has been shown to be an important regulator of development, organogenesis, and tissue formation, wherein altered nuclear transport of key transcription factors can lead to disease. Importantly, precise switching between distinct forms of importin alpha is central to neural lineage specification, consistent with the hypothesis that importin expression can be a key mediator of cell differentiation.

In vitro nuclear interactome of the HIV-1 Tat protein

BACKGROUND

One facet of the complexity underlying the biology of HIV-1 resides not only in its limited number of viral proteins, but in the extensive repertoire of cellular proteins they interact with and their higher-order assembly. HIV-1 encodes the regulatory protein Tat (86-101aa), which is essential for HIV-1 replication and primarily orchestrates HIV-1 provirus transcriptional regulation. Previous studies have demonstrated that Tat function is highly dependent on specific interactions with a range of cellular proteins. However they can only partially account for the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the dynamics of proviral gene expression. To obtain a comprehensive nuclear interaction map of Tat in T-cells, we have designed a proteomic strategy based on affinity chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Our approach resulted in the identification of a total of 183 candidates as Tat nuclear partners, 90% of which have not been previously characterised. Subsequently we applied in silico analysis, to validate and characterise our dataset which revealed that the Tat nuclear interactome exhibits unique signature(s). First, motif composition analysis highlighted that our dataset is enriched for domains mediating protein, RNA and DNA interactions, and helicase and ATPase activities. Secondly, functional classification and network reconstruction clearly depicted Tat as a polyvalent protein adaptor and positioned Tat at the nexus of a densely interconnected interaction network involved in a range of biological processes which included gene expression regulation, RNA biogenesis, chromatin structure, chromosome organisation, DNA replication and nuclear architecture.

CONCLUSION

We have completed the in vitro Tat nuclear interactome and have highlighted its modular network properties and particularly those involved in the coordination of gene expression by Tat. Ultimately, the highly specialised set of molecular interactions identified will provide a framework to further advance our understanding of the mechanisms of HIV-1 proviral gene silencing and activation.

The Ty1 integrase protein can exploit the classical nuclear protein import machinery for entry into the nucleus

Like its retroviral relatives, the long terminal repeat retrotransposon Ty1 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae must traverse a permanently intact nuclear membrane for successful transposition and replication. For retrotransposition to occur, at least a subset of Ty1 proteins, including the Ty1 integrase, must enter the nucleus. Nuclear localization of integrase is dependent upon a C-terminal nuclear targeting sequence. However, the nuclear import machinery that recognizes this nuclear targeting signal has not been defined. We investigated the mechanism by which Ty1 integrase gains access to nuclear DNA as a model for how other retroelements, including retroviruses like HIV, may utilize cellular nuclear transport machinery to import their essential nuclear proteins. We show that Ty1 retrotransposition is significantly impaired in yeast mutants that alter the classical nuclear protein import pathway, including the Ran-GTPase, and the dimeric import receptor, importin-alpha/beta. Although Ty1 proteins are made and processed in these mutant cells, our studies reveal that an integrase reporter is not properly targeted to the nucleus in cells carrying mutations in the classical nuclear import machinery. Furthermore, we demonstrate that integrase coimmunoprecipitates with the importin-alpha transport receptor and directly binds to importin-alpha. Taken together, these data suggest Ty1 integrase can employ the classical nuclear protein transport machinery to enter the nucleus.

Spatial and temporal coordination of mitosis by Ran GTPase

The small nuclear GTPase Ran controls the directionality of macromolecular transport between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Ran also has important roles during mitosis, when the nucleus is dramatically reorganized to allow chromosome segregation. Ran directs the assembly of the mitotic spindle, nuclear-envelope dynamics and the timing of cell-cycle transitions. The mechanisms that underlie these functions provide insights into the spatial and temporal coordination of the changes that occur in intracellular organization during the cell-division cycle.

A proteomic view of Candida albicans yeast cell metabolism in exponential and stationary growth phases

The facultative pathogenic fungus Candida albicans has to come up with dynamic metabolic adaptation programs in order to be able to survive within a variety of niches in the human host, each of which has its different nutrient availability. Using a large-scale two-dimensional (2-D) protein gel electrophoresis approach, we analyzed the adaptation mechanisms to nutrient limitation in a batch culture in complex medium with glucose as carbon source. To this end, we constructed a 2-D reference map of cytoplasmic proteins and quantitatively compared protein accumulation of growing yeast cells with those from the stationary phase. This yielded characteristic proteome signatures for each physiological state. During exponential growth, proteins required for the synthesis of RNA, DNA, and proteins, including components of purine and pyrimidine synthesis pathways and ribosomal proteins, were over-represented. The stationary-phase signature revealed a complex reprogramming of metabolic networks: Up-regulation of glyoxylate cycle, gluconeogenesis, and glutamate degradation signaled a switch to the utilization of alternative carbon sources instead of the exhausted glucose. Induction of proteins involved in defense against oxidative and heat stress indicates a change in redox balance and reactive oxygen species concentrations.

Classical nuclear localization signals: definition, function, and interaction with importin alpha

The best understood system for the transport of macromolecules between the cytoplasm and the nucleus is the classical nuclear import pathway. In this pathway, a protein containing a classical basic nuclear localization signal (NLS) is imported by a heterodimeric import receptor consisting of the beta-karyopherin importin beta, which mediates interactions with the nuclear pore complex, and the adaptor protein importin alpha, which directly binds the classical NLS. Here we review recent studies that have advanced our understanding of this pathway and also take a bioinformatics approach to analyze the likely prevalence of this system in vivo. Finally, we describe how a predicted NLS within a protein of interest can be confirmed experimentally to be functionally important.

CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL RADIOGRAPHIC CONTRAST STUDIES IN THE HORSESHOE CRAB (LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS)

Survey and contrast radiographic studies of the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems of the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) were undertaken using conventional and flouroscopic techniques. Normal gastrointestinal and cardiovascular structures were difficult to resolve on survey radiographs, but were well visualized with gastrointestinal follow through studies and angiography, respectively. All three contrast agents (iohexol, Gastrografin, and barium sulfate) used for the gastrointestinal studies varied minimally in their radiographic quality and transit times, and all appeared to be safe for use in the horseshoe crab.

Nuclear RanGAP is required for the heterochromatin assembly and is reciprocally regulated by histone H3 and Clr4 histone methyltransferase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Although the Ran GTPase-activating protein RanGAP mainly functions in the cytoplasm, several lines of evidence indicate a nuclear function of RanGAP. We found that Schizosaccharomyces pombe RanGAP, SpRna1, bound the core of histone H3 (H3) and enhanced Clr4-mediated H3-lysine 9 (K9) methylation. This enhancement was not observed for methylation of the H3-tail containing K9 and was independent of SpRna1-RanGAP activity, suggesting that SpRna1 itself enhances Clr4-mediated H3-K9 methylation via H3. Although most SpRna1 is in the cytoplasm, some cofractionated with H3. Sprna1(ts) mutations caused decreases in Swi6 localization and H3-K9 methylation at all three heterochromatic regions of S. pombe. Thus, nuclear SpRna1 seems to be involved in heterochromatin assembly. All core histones bound SpRna1 and inhibited SpRna1-RanGAP activity. In contrast, Clr4 abolished the inhibitory effect of H3 on the RanGAP activity of SpRna1 but partially affected the other histones. SpRna1 formed a trimeric complex with H3 and Clr4, suggesting that nuclear SpRna1 is reciprocally regulated by histones, especially H3, and Clr4 on the chromatin to function for higher order chromatin assembly. We also found that SpRna1 formed a stable complex with Xpo1/Crm1 plus Ran-GTP, in the presence of H3.

The search for the primary function of the Ran GTPase continues

It has been nearly 20 years since the discovery of the first component of the Ran-GTPase pathway. Since then, nearly 100 articles, more than half of which have been published in the past three years, have reported the identification of additional components of the system and the existence of their structural and functional homologues in organisms ranging from yeast to man. The Ran system affects a vast array of nuclear processes including RNA metabolism, DNA replication, chromosome condensation and decondensation, and nucleocytoplasmic transport of protein and RNA. The current challenge is to identify the molecular targets that link the Ran-GTPase system to this collection o f nuclear processes.

Biochemical characterization of the Ran-RanBP1-RanGAP system: are RanBP proteins and the acidic tail of RanGAP required for the Ran-RanGAP GTPase reaction?

RanBP type proteins have been reported to increase the catalytic efficiency of the RanGAP-mediated GTPase reaction on Ran. Since the structure of the Ran-RanBP1-RanGAP complex showed RanBP1 to be located away from the active site, we reinvestigated the reaction using fluorescence spectroscopy under pre-steady-state conditions. We can show that RanBP1 indeed does not influence the rate-limiting step of the reaction, which is the cleavage of GTP and/or the release of product P(i). It does, however, influence the dynamics of the Ran-RanGAP interaction, its most dramatic effect being the 20-fold stimulation of the already very fast association reaction such that it is under diffusion control (4.5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)). Having established a valuable kinetic system for the interaction analysis, we also found, in contrast to previous findings, that the highly conserved acidic C-terminal end of RanGAP is not required for the switch-off reaction. Rather, genetic experiments in Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrate a profound effect of the acidic tail on microtubule organization during mitosis. We propose that the acidic tail of RanGAP is required for a process during mitosis.

An Arabidopsis Ran-binding protein, AtRanBP1c, is a co-activator of Ran GTPase-activating protein and requires the C-terminus for its cytoplasmic localization

Ran-binding proteins (RanBPs) are a group of proteins that bind to Ran (Ras-related nuclear small GTP-binding protein), and thus either control the GTP/GDP-bound states of Ran or help couple the Ran GTPase cycle to a cellular process. AtRanBP1c is a Ran-binding protein from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. that was recently shown to be critically involved in the regulation of auxin-induced mitotic progression [S.-H. Kim et al. (2001) Plant Cell 13:2619-2630]. Here we report that AtRanBP1c inhibits the EDTA-induced release of GTP from Ran and serves as a co-activator of Ran-GTPase-activating protein (RanGAP) in vitro. Transient expression of AtRanBP1c fused to a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter reveals that the protein localizes primarily to the cytosol. Neither the N- nor C-terminus of AtRanBP1c, which flank the Ran-binding domain (RanBD), is necessary for the binding of PsRan1-GTP to the protein, but both are needed for the cytosolic localization of GUS-fused AtRanBP1c. These findings, together with a previous report that AtRanBP1c is critically involved in root growth and development, imply that the promotion of GTP hydrolysis by the Ran/RanGAP/AtRanBP1c complex in the cytoplasm, and the resulting concentration gradient of Ran-GDP to Ran-GTP across the nuclear membrane could be important in the regulation of auxin-induced mitotic progression in root tips of A. thaliana.

GAPs galore! A survey of putative Ras superfamily GTPase activating proteins in man and Drosophila

Typical members of the Ras superfamily of small monomeric GTP-binding proteins function as regulators of diverse processes by cycling between biologically active GTP- and inactive GDP-bound conformations. Proteins that control this cycling include guanine nucleotide exchange factors or GEFs, which activate Ras superfamily members by catalyzing GTP for GDP exchange, and GTPase activating proteins or GAPs, which accelerate the low intrinsic GTP hydrolysis rate of typical Ras superfamily members, thus causing their inactivation. Two among the latter class of proteins have been implicated in common genetic disorders associated with an increased cancer risk, neurofibromatosis-1, and tuberous sclerosis. To facilitate genetic analysis, I surveyed Drosophila and human sequence databases for genes predicting proteins related to GAPs for Ras superfamily members. Remarkably, close to 0.5% of genes in both species (173 human and 64 Drosophila genes) predict proteins related to GAPs for Arf, Rab, Ran, Rap, Ras, Rho, and Sar family GTPases. Information on these genes has been entered into a pair of relational databases, which can be used to identify evolutionary conserved proteins that are likely to serve basic biological functions, and which can be updated when definitive information on the coding potential of both genomes becomes available.

Nuclear RanGTP is not required for targeting small nucleolar RNAs to the nucleolus

The small GTPase Ran is the central regulator of macromolecular transport between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Recent work has suggested that RanGTP also plays an important role in regulating some intra-nuclear processes. In this study, we have investigated whether RanGTP is required for the intra-nuclear transport of RNAs. Specifically, we directly analyzed the nucleolar localization of Box C/D and Box H/ACA small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in mammalian (tsBN2) cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Xenopus oocytes under conditions that deplete nuclear RanGTP and prevent RNA export to the cytoplasm. Our data suggest that depletion of nuclear RanGTP does not significantly alter the nucleolar localization of U3 snoRNA in tsBN2 cells. Complementary studies in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae using conditional Ran mutants as well as mutants in Ran regulatory proteins also indicate that disruption of the Ran gradient or of Ran itself does not detectably affect the nucleolar localization of snoRNAs. Finally, microinjection into Xenopus oocytes was used to clearly demonstrate that a specific pool of snoRNAs could still be efficiently targeted to the nucleolus even when the RanGTP gradient was disrupted by microinjection of mutant Ran proteins. Taken together, our data from three phylogenetically distinct experimental systems suggest that nuclear RanGTP, which is essential for trafficking of RNAs between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, is not required for nuclear retention or nucleolar localization of snoRNAs.

Regulation of nuclear import and export by the GTPase Ran

This review focuses on the control of nuclear import and export pathways by the small GTPase Ran. Transport of signal-containing cargo substrates is mediated by receptors that bind to the cargo proteins and RNAs and deliver them to the appropriate cellular compartment. Ran is an evolutionarily conserved member of the Ras superfamily that regulates all receptor-mediated transport between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. We describe the identification and characterization of the RanGTPase and its binding partners: the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, RanGEF; the GTPase activating protein, RanGAP; the soluble import and export receptors; Ran-binding domain-(RBD) containing proteins; and NTF2 and related factors.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae nucleoporin Nup2p is a natively unfolded protein

Little is known about the structure of the individual nucleoporins that form eukaryotic nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). We report here in vitro physical and structural characterizations of a full-length nucleoporin, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein Nup2p. Analyses of the Nup2p structure by far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, protease sensitivity, gel filtration, and sedimentation velocity experiments indicate that Nup2p is a "natively unfolded protein," belonging to a class of proteins that exhibit little secondary structure, high flexibility, and low compactness. Nup2p possesses a very large Stokes radius (79 A) in gel filtration columns, sediments slowly in sucrose gradients as a 2.9 S particle, and is highly sensitive to proteolytic digestion by proteinase K; these characteristics suggest a structure of low compactness and high flexibility. Spectral analyses (CD and FTIR spectroscopy) provide additional evidence that Nup2p contains extensive regions of structural disorder with comparatively small contributions of ordered secondary structure. We address the possible significance of natively unfolded nucleoporins in the mechanics of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking across NPCs.

RanGAP mediates GTP hydrolysis without an arginine finger

GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) increase the rate of GTP hydrolysis on guanine nucleotide-binding proteins by many orders of magnitude. Studies with Ras and Rho have elucidated the mechanism of GAP action by showing that their catalytic machinery is both stabilized by GAP binding and complemented by the insertion of a so-called 'arginine finger' into the phosphate-binding pocket. This has been proposed as a universal mechanism for GAP-mediated GTP hydrolysis. Ran is a nuclear Ras-related protein that regulates both transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm during interphase, and formation of the mitotic spindle and/or nuclear envelope in dividing cells. Ran-GTP is hydrolysed by the combined action of Ran-binding proteins (RanBPs) and RanGAP. Here we present the three-dimensional structure of a Ran-RanBP1-RanGAP ternary complex in the ground state and in a transition-state mimic. The structure and biochemical experiments show that RanGAP does not act through an arginine finger, that the basic machinery for fast GTP hydrolysis is provided exclusively by Ran and that correct positioning of the catalytic glutamine is essential for catalysis.

Transport into and out of the nucleus

A defining characteristic of eukaryotic cells is the possession of a nuclear envelope. Transport of macromolecules between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments occurs through nuclear pore complexes that span the double membrane of this envelope. The molecular basis for transport has been revealed only within the last few years. The transport mechanism lacks motors and pumps and instead operates by a process of facilitated diffusion of soluble carrier proteins, in which vectoriality is provided by compartment-specific assembly and disassembly of cargo-carrier complexes. The carriers recognize localization signals on the cargo and can bind to pore proteins. They also bind a small GTPase, Ran, whose GTP-bound form is predominantly nuclear. Ran-GTP dissociates import carriers from their cargo and promotes the assembly of export carriers with cargo. The ongoing discovery of numerous carriers, Ran-independent transport mechanisms, and cofactors highlights the complexity of the nuclear transport process. Multiple regulatory mechanisms are also being identified that control cargo-carrier interactions. Circadian rhythms, cell cycle, transcription, RNA processing, and signal transduction are all regulated at the level of nucleocytoplasmic transport. This review focuses on recent discoveries in the field, with an emphasis on the carriers and cofactors involved in transport and on possible mechanisms for movement through the nuclear pores.

Stimulation of nuclear export and inhibition of nuclear import by a Ran mutant deficient in binding to Ran-binding protein 1

Receptor-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport is dependent on the GTPase Ran and Ran-binding protein 1 (RanBP1). The acidic C terminus of Ran is required for high affinity interaction between Ran and RanBP1. We found that a novel Ran mutant with four of its five acidic C-terminal amino acids modified to alanine (RanC4A) has an approximately 20-fold reduced affinity for RanBP1. We investigated the effects of RanC4A on nuclear import and export in permeabilized HeLa cells. Although RanC4A promotes accumulation of the nuclear export receptor CRM1 at the cytoplasmic nucleoporin Nup214, it strongly stimulates nuclear export of GFP-NFAT. Since RanC4A exhibits an elevated affinity for CRM1 and other nuclear transport receptors, this suggests that formation of the export complex containing CRM1, Ran-GTP, and substrate is a rate-limiting step in export, not release from Nup214. Conversely, importin alpha/beta-dependent nuclear import of bovine serum albumin, coupled to a classical nuclear localization sequence is strongly inhibited by RanC4A. Inhibition can be reversed by additional importin alpha, which promotes the formation of an importin alpha/beta complex. These results provide physiological evidence that release of Ran-GTP from importin beta by RanBP1 and importin alpha is critical for the recycling of importin beta to a transport-competent state.

Fission yeast Mog1p homologue, which interacts with the small GTPase Ran, is required for mitosis-to-interphase transition and poly(A)(+) RNA metabolism

We have cloned and characterized the Schizosaccharomyces pombe gene mog1(+), which encodes a protein with homology to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mog1p participating in the Ran-GTPase system. The S. pombe Mog1p is predominantly localized in the nucleus. In contrast to the S. cerevisiae MOG1 gene, the S. pombe mog1(+) gene is essential for cell viability. mog1(+) is required for the mitosis-to-interphase transition, as the mog1-1 mutant arrests at restrictive temperatures as septated, binucleated cells with highly condensed chromosomes and an aberrant nuclear envelope. FACS analysis showed that these cells do not undergo a subsequent round of DNA replication. Surprisingly, also unlike the Delta mog1 mutation in S. cerevisiae, the mog1-1 mutation causes nucleolar accumulation of poly(A)(+) RNA at the restrictive temperature in S. pombe, but the signals do not overlap with the fibrillarin-rich region of the nucleolus. Thus, we found that mog1(+) is required for the mitosis-to-interphase transition and a class of RNA metabolism. In our attempt to identify suppressors of mog1-1, we isolated the spi1(+) gene, which encodes the fission yeast homologue of Ran. We found that overexpression of Spi1p rescues the S. pombe Delta mog1 cells from death. On the basis of these results, we conclude that mog1(+) is involved in the Ran-GTPase system.

Plasma lipid transfer proteins, high-density lipoproteins, and reverse cholesterol transport

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) are members of the lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding protein gene family. Recently, the crystal structure of one of the members of the gene family, bactericidal permeability increasing protein, was solved, providing potential insights into the mechanisms of action of CETP and PLTP. These molecules contain intrinsic lipid binding sites and appear to act as carrier proteins that shuttle between lipoproteins to redistribute lipids. The phenotype of human CETP genetic deficiency states and CETP transgenic mice indicates that CETP plays a major role in the catabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesteryl esters and thereby influences the concentration, apolipoprotein content, and size of HDL particles in plasma. PLTP also appears to have an important role in determining HDL levels and speciation. Recent data indicate that genetic CETP deficiency is associates with an excess of coronary heart disease in humans, despite increased HDL levels. Also, CETP expression is anti-atherogenic in many mouse models, even while lowering HDL. These data tend to support the reverse cholesterol transport hypothesis, i.e., that anti-atherogenic properties of HDL are related to its role in reverse cholesterol transport. Recently, another key molecule involved in this pathway was identified, scavenger receptor BI; this mediates the selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters in the liver and thus constitutes a pathway of reverse cholesterol transport parallel to that mediated by CETP. Reflecting its role in reverse cholesterol transport, the CETP gene is up-regulated in peripheral tissues and liver in responses to dietary or endogenous hypercholesterolemia. An analysis of the CETP proximal promoter indicates that it contains sterol regulatory elements highly homologous to those present in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase; the CETP gene is transactivated by the binding of SREBP-1 to these elements. A challenge for the future will be the manipulation of components of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, such as CETP, PLTP, or scavenger receptor BI for therapeutic benefit.

Factors affecting nuclear export of the 60S ribosomal subunit in vivo

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the 60S ribosomal subunit assembles in the nucleolus and then is exported to the cytoplasm, where it joins the 40S subunit for translation. Export of the 60S subunit from the nucleus is known to be an energy-dependent and factor-mediated process, but very little is known about the specifics of its transport. To begin to address this problem, an assay was developed to follow the localization of the 60S ribosomal subunit in S. cerevisiae. Ribosomal protein L11b (Rpl11b), one of the approximately 45 ribosomal proteins of the 60S subunit, was tagged at its carboxyl terminus with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to enable visualization of the 60S subunit in living cells. A panel of mutant yeast strains was screened for their accumulation of Rpl11b-GFP in the nucleus as an indicator of their involvement in ribosome synthesis and/or transport. This panel included conditional alleles of several rRNA-processing factors, nucleoporins, general transport factors, and karyopherins. As predicted, conditional alleles of rRNA-processing factors that affect 60S ribosomal subunit assembly accumulated Rpl11b-GFP in the nucleus. In addition, several of the nucleoporin mutants as well as a few of the karyopherin and transport factor mutants also mislocalized Rpl11b-GFP. In particular, deletion of the previously uncharacterized karyopherin KAP120 caused accumulation of Rpl11b-GFP in the nucleus, whereas ribosomal protein import was not impaired. Together, these data further define the requirements for ribosomal subunit export and suggest a biological function for KAP120.

CIITA leucine-rich repeats control nuclear localization, in vivo recruitment to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II enhanceosome, and MHC class II gene transactivation

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II transactivator CIITA plays a pivotal role in the control of the cellular immune response through the quantitative regulation of MHC class II expression. We have analyzed a region of CIITA with similarity to leucine-rich repeats (LRRs). CIITA LRR alanine mutations abolish both the transactivation capacity of full-length CIITA and the dominant-negative phenotype of CIITA mutants with N-terminal deletions. We demonstrate direct interaction of CIITA with the MHC class II promoter binding protein RFX5 and could also detect novel interactions with RFXANK, NF-YB, and -YC. However, none of these interactions is influenced by CIITA LRR mutagenesis. On the other hand, chromatin immunoprecipitation shows that in vivo binding of CIITA to the MHC class II promoter is dependent on LRR integrity. LRR mutations lead to an impaired nuclear localization of CIITA, indicating that a major function of the CIITA LRRs is in nucleocytoplasmic translocation. There is, however, evidence that the CIITA LRRs are also involved more directly in MHC class II gene transactivation. CIITA interacts with a novel protein of 33 kDa in a manner sensitive to LRR mutagenesis. CIITA is therefore imported into the nucleus by an LRR-dependent mechanism, where it activates transcription through multiple protein-protein interactions with the MHC class II promoter binding complex.

The mechanism of ran import into the nucleus by nuclear transport factor 2

The small GTPase Ran is essential for virtually all nucleocytoplasmic transport events. It is hypothesized that Ran drives vectorial transport of macromolecules into and out of the nucleus via the establishment of a Ran gradient between the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Although Ran shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm, it is concentrated in the nucleus at steady state. We show that nuclear transport factor 2 (NTF2) is required to concentrate Ran in the nucleus in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To analyze the mechanism of Ran import into the nucleus by NTF2, we use mutants in a variety of nuclear transport factors along with biochemical analyses of NTF2 complexes. We find that Ran remains concentrated in the nucleus when importin-mediated protein import is disrupted and demonstrate that NTF2 does not form a stable complex with the transport receptor, importin-beta. Consistent with a critical role for NTF2 in establishing and maintaining the Ran gradient, we show that NTF2 is required for early embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our data distinguish between two possible mechanisms for Ran import by NTF2 and demonstrate that Ran import is independent from importin-beta-mediated protein import.

The mammalian Mog1 protein is a guanine nucleotide release factor for Ran

Ran is a Ras-related GTPase that is essential for the transport of protein and RNA between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Proteins that regulate the GTPase cycle and subcellular distribution of Ran include the cytoplasmic GTPase-activating protein (RanGAP) and its co-factors (RanBP1, RanBP2), the nuclear guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RanGEF), and the Ran import receptor (NTF2). The recent identification of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein Mog1p as a suppressor of temperature-sensitive Ran mutations suggests that additional regulatory proteins remain to be characterized. Here, we describe the identification and biochemical characterization of murine Mog1, which, like its yeast orthologue, is a nuclear protein that binds specifically to RanGTP. We show that Mog1 stimulates the release of GTP from Ran, indicating that Mog1 functions as a guanine nucleotide release factor in vitro. Following GTP release, Mog1 remains bound to nucleotide-free Ran in a conformation that prevents rebinding of the guanine nucleotide. These properties distinguish Mog1 from the well characterized RanGEF and suggest an unanticipated mechanism for modulating nuclear levels of RanGTP.

Yeast Ran-binding protein 1 (Yrb1) shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm and is exported from the nucleus via a CRM1 (XPO1)-dependent pathway

The RanGTP-binding protein RanBP1, which is located in the cytoplasm, has been implicated in release of nuclear export complexes from the cytoplasmic side of the nuclear pore complex. Here we show that Yrb1 (the yeast homolog of RanBP1) shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Nuclear import of Yrb1 is a facilitated process that requires a short basic sequence within the Ran-binding domain (RBD). By contrast, nuclear export of Yrb1 requires an intact RBD, which forms a ternary complex with the Xpo1 (Crm1) NES receptor in the presence of RanGTP. Nuclear export of Yrb1, however, is insensitive towards leptomycin B, suggesting a novel type of substrate recognition between Yrb1 and Xpo1. Taken together, these data suggest that ongoing nuclear import and export is an important feature of Yrb1 function in vivo.

Upstream and downstream of ran GTPase

Among the Ras family, Ran is a unique small G protein. It does not have a lipid modification motif at the C-terminus to bind to the membrane, which is often observed within the Ras family. Ran may therefore interact with a wide range of proteins in various intracellular locations. This means that Ran could play many different roles like nucleocytoplasmic transport, microtubule assembly and so on. All of the Ran functions should be regulated by RanGEF and RanGAP. It is an interesting issue why RCC1, a RanGEF, is localized in the nucleus and RanGAP1/Ran1p in the cytoplasm. It is possible that RCC1 checks the state of chromosomal DNA replication and transfers it to the downstream events through Ran; thereby, RCC1 would be involved in coupling the spatial localization of cellular macromolecules with the cell cycle progression. In this context, Ran will be a very important cell cycle mediator. There is yet another G protein cascade, Gtr1-Gtr2, which interacts with the Ran cycle.

Transport between the cell nucleus and the cytoplasm

The compartmentation of eukaryotic cells requires all nuclear proteins to be imported from the cytoplasm, whereas, for example, transfer RNAs, messenger RNAs, and ribosomes are made in the nucleus and need to be exported to the cytoplasm. Nuclear import and export proceed through nuclear pore complexes and can occur along a great number of distinct pathways, many of which are mediated by importin beta-related nuclear transport receptors. These receptors shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm, and they bind transport substrates either directly or via adapter molecules. They all cooperate with the RanGTPase system to regulate the interactions with their cargoes. Another focus of our review is nuclear export of messenger RNA, which apparently largely relies on export mediators distinct from importin beta-related factors. We discuss mechanistic aspects and the energetics of transport receptor function and describe a number of pathways in detail.

The yeast nucleoporin Nup2p is involved in nuclear export of importin alpha/Srp1p

The importin alpha.beta heterodimer mediates nuclear import of proteins containing classical nuclear localization signals. After carrying its cargo into the nucleus, the importin dimer dissociates, and Srp1p (the yeast importin alpha subunit) is recycled to the cytoplasm in a complex with Cse1p and RanGTP. Nup2p is a yeast FXFG nucleoporin that contains a Ran-binding domain. We find that export of Srp1p from the nucleus is impaired in Deltanup2 mutants. Also, Srp1p fusion proteins accumulate at the nuclear rim in wild-type cells but accumulate in the nuclear interior in Deltanup2 cells. A deletion of NUP2 shows genetic interactions with mutants in SRP1 and PRP20, which encodes the Ran nucleotide exchange factor. Srp1p binds directly to an N-terminal domain of Nup2p. This region of Nup2p is sufficient to allow accumulation of an Srp1p fusion protein at the nuclear rim, but the C-terminal Ran-binding domain of Nup2p is required for efficient Srp1p export. Formation of the Srp1p.Cse1p. RanGTP export complex releases Srp1p from its binding site in Nup2p. We propose that Nup2p may act as a scaffold that facilitates formation of the Srp1p export complex.