We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Importin α: a key molecule in nuclear transport and non-transport functions.
- Authors
Yoichi Miyamoto; Kohji Yamada; Yoshihiro Yoneda
- Abstract
Importin α performs the indispensable role of ferrying proteins from the cytoplasm into the nucleus with a transport carrier, importin β1. Mammalian cells from mouse or human contain either six or seven importin α subtypes, respectively, each with a tightly regulated expression. Therefore, the combination of subtype expression in a cell defines distinct signaling pathways to achieve progressive changes in gene expression essential for cellular events, such as differentiation. Recent studies reveal that, in addition to nucleocytoplasmic transport, importin αs also serve non-transport functions. In this review, we first discuss the physiological significance of importin α as a nuclear transport regulator, and then focus on the functional diversities of importin αs based on their specific subcellular and cellular localizations, such as the nucleus and plasma membrane. These findings enrich our knowledge of how importin αs actively contribute to various cellular events.
- Subjects
CELL membranes; NUCLEOCYTOPLASMIC interactions; CELL nuclei; CELLS; ORGANISMS
- Publication
Journal of Biochemistry, 2016, Vol 160, Issue 2, p69
- ISSN
0021-924X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/jb/mvw036