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Detailed mapping of the nuclear export signal in the Rous sarcoma virus Gag protein.

The Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) Gag polyprotein undergoes transient nuclear trafficking as an intrinsic part of the virus assembly pathway. Nuclear export of Gag is crucial for the efficient production of viral particles and is accomplished through the action of a leptomycin B (LMB)-dependent nuclear export signal (NES) in the p10 domain (L. Z. Scheifele, R. A. Garbitt, J. D. Rhoads, and L. J. Parent, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:3944-3949, 2002). We have now mapped the nuclear export activity to the C-terminal portion of the p10 sequence and identified the four hydrophobic amino acids within this region that comprise a leucine-rich NES. Alteration of these hydrophobic residues resulted in the accumulation of Gag proteins within the nucleus and a budding defect greater than that obtained with LMB treatment of cells expressing the wild-type Gag protein (Scheifele et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:3944-3949, 2002). In addition, export of Gag from the nucleus was found to be a rate-limiting step in virus-like particle production. Consistent with a role for the NES sequence in viral replication, this cluster of hydrophobic residues in p10 is conserved across a wide range of avian retroviruses. Furthermore, naturally occurring substitutions within this region in related viruses maintained nuclear export activity and remained sensitive to the activity of LMB. Using gain-of-function approaches, we found that the hydrophobic motif in p10 was sufficient to promote the nuclear export of a heterologous protein and was positionally independent within the Gag polyprotein. Finally, the export pathway was further defined by the ability of specific nucleoporin inhibitors to prevent the egress of Gag from the nucleus, thereby identifying additional cellular mediators of RSV replication.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 posttranscriptional trans-activator Rex contains a nuclear export signal.

The Rex protein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 is required for the nuclear export of unspliced viral mRNA and, therefore, for virus replication. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that Rex shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and that its activation domain constitutes a nuclear export signal that specifies efficient transport to the cytoplasm. These findings are consistent with a model for Rex-mediated trans-activation in which Rex-viral mRNA complexes are targeted for nuclear export by the direct action of the activation domain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nuclear export signal located within theDNA-binding domain of the STAT1transcription factor.

Latent signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) reside in the cytoplasm but rapidly accumulate in the nucleus following cytokine stimulation. Nuclear accumulation requires specific tyrosine phosphorylation and STAT dimerization. The presence of STATs in the nucleus is transient, however, and within hours the STATs reappear in the cytoplasm. Results indicate that STAT1 can be dephosphorylated in the nucleus and actively exported by the chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM1) export receptor. CRM1 recognizes a specific amino acid sequence located within the DNA-binding domain of STAT1. This region shares sequence and functional properties of characterized nuclear export signals. The location of this sequence within STAT1 suggests that it is not accessible to CRM1 when STAT1 is bound to DNA. Evidence is presented to support a model in which STAT1 is tyrosine dephosphorylated in the nucleus and dissociates from DNA, allowing recognition by CRM1 and nuclear export. The regulated export of STAT1 may contribute to silencing of the signal pathway and/or to re-establish STAT1 in the cytoplasm to monitor activity of receptor-kinase signals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of beta-arrestins. Characterization of a leucine-rich nuclear export signal in beta-arrestin2.

beta-arrestins (betaarrs) are two highly homologous proteins that uncouple G protein-coupled receptors from their cognate G proteins, serve as adaptor molecules linking G protein-coupled receptors to clathrin-coat components (AP-2 complex and clathrin), and act as scaffolding proteins for ERK1/2 and JNK3 cascades. A striking difference between the two betaarrs (betaarr1 and betaarr2) is that betaarr1 is evenly distributed throughout the cell, whereas betaarr2 shows an apparent cytoplasmic localization at steady state. Here, we investigate the molecular determinants underlying this differential distribution. betaarr2 is constitutively excluded from the nucleus by a leptomycin B-sensitive pathway because of the presence of a classical leucine-rich nuclear export signal in its C terminus (L395/L397) that is absent in betaarr1. In addition, using a nuclear import assay in yeast we showed that betaarr2 is actively imported into the nucleus, suggesting that betaarr2 undergoes constitutive nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. In cells expressing betaarr2, JNK3 is mostly cytosolic. A point mutation of the nuclear export signal (L395A) in betaarr2, which was sufficient to redistribute betaarr2 from the cytosol to the nucleus, also caused the nuclear relocalization of JNK3. These data indicate that the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of betaarr2 controls the subcellular distribution of JNK3.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Identification and characterization of a ligand-regulated nuclear export signal in androgen receptor.

Androgen receptor (AR) belongs to the steroid receptor superfamily that regulates gene expression in a ligand-dependent fashion. AR is localized to the cytoplasm in the absence of androgen and translocates into the nuclei to activate gene expression in the presence of ligand. Regulation of AR nuclear import and export represents an essential step in androgen action. A nuclear localization signal (NLS) has been identified in the DNA-binding domain and hinge region of AR and other steroid receptors. Studies on nuclear export of AR, however, are limited, and what might be the underlying mechanism regulating the intracellular localization of steroid receptors is unclear. Our studies have identified a leptomycin B-insensitive nuclear export signal (NESAR) in the ligand-binding domain of AR, which is active in the absence of androgen and repressed upon ligand binding. Consistent with its androgen-sensitivity, NESAR contains amino acid residues in the immediate vicinity of the bound ligand. NESAR is necessary for AR nuclear export and is dominant over the NLS in the DNA-binding domain and hinge region in the absence of hormone. Our findings suggest that androgen can regulate NESAR and, subsequently, the NLS of the AR, providing a mechanism by which androgen regulates AR nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling. Estrogen receptor alpha and mineralocorticoid receptor also contain functional NES, suggesting that this ligand-regulated NES is conserved among steroid receptors.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Cytoplasmic localization of NPM in myeloid leukemias is dictated by gain-of-function mutations that create a functional nuclear export signal.

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a nucleus-cytoplasmic shuttling protein that is implicated in centrosome duplication, cell cycle progression and stress response. At the steady state, NPM localizes mainly in the nucleolus, where it forms a complex with different cellular proteins. One-third of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) are characterized by aberrant cytoplasmic localization of NPM, due to mutations within its last coding exon (exon 12) that cause a frameshift and the formation of novel C-termini. We report here our investigations on the molecular basis for the aberrant localization of mutated NPM. Alignment of the C-terminus of the various NPM mutants revealed the obligatory presence of four amino-acid residues that match a CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal (NES). Single alanine-substitutions at these sites provoked nuclear re-localization, while fusion of the mutated C-terminus to a heterologous nuclear protein induced CRM1-dependent cytoplasmic localization. Molecular characterization of one exceptional AML carrying cytoplasmic NPM and germ line exon 12 revealed a somatic mutation in the splicing donor site of exon 9 that caused the formation of a functional NES. It appears, therefore, that AMLs are frequently characterized by gain-of-function mutations of NPM that create functional NES, suggesting that alterations of nuclear export might represent a general mechanism of leukemogenesis and a novel target for therapeutic intervention.

Acute Disease↗

A short Id2 protein fragment containing the nuclear export signal forms amyloid-like fibrils.

The negative regulator of DNA-binding/cell-differentiation Id2 is a small protein containing a central helix-loop-helix (HLH) motif and a C-terminal nuclear export signal (NES). Whereas the former is essential for Id2 dimerization and nuclear localization, the latter is responsible for the transport of Id2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Whereas the isolated Id2 HLH motif is highly helical, large C-terminal Id2 fragments including the NES sequence are either unordered or aggregation-prone. To study the conformational properties of the isolated NES region, we synthesized the Id2 segment 103-124. The latter was insoluble in water and only temporarily soluble in water/alcohol mixtures, where it formed quickly precipitating beta-sheets. Introduction of a positively charged N-terminal tail prevented aggressive precipitation and led to aggregates consisting of long fibrils that bound thioflavin T. These results show an interesting structural aspect of the Id2 NES region, which might be of significance for both protein folding and function.

Amyloid↗

Human topoisomerase IIalpha nuclear export is mediated by two CRM-1-dependent nuclear export signals.

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a major obstacle in the treatment of leukemia and multiple myeloma. We have previously found that myeloma and leukemic cells in transition from low-density log phase conditions to high-density plateau phase conditions export substantial amounts of endogenous topoisomerase II alpha from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In order for topoisomerase-targeted chemotherapy to function, the topoisomerase target must have access to the nuclear DNA. Therefore, the nuclear export of topoisomerase II alpha may contribute to drug resistance, and defining this mechanism may lead to methods to preclude this avenue of resistance. We have identified nuclear export signals for topoisomerase II alpha at amino acids 1017-1028 and 1054-1066, using FITC-labeled BSA-export signal peptide conjugates microinjected into the nuclei of HeLa cells. Functional confirmation of both signals (1017-1028 and 1054-1066) was provided by transfection of human myeloma cells with plasmids containing the gene for a full-length human FLAG-topoisomerase fusion protein, mutated at hydrophobic amino acid residues in the export signals. Of the six putative export signals tested, the two sites above were found to induce export into the cytoplasm. Export by both signals was blocked by treatment of the cells with leptomycin B, indicating that a CRM-1-dependent pathway mediates export. Site-directed mutagenesis of two central hydrophobic residues in either export signal in full-length human topoisomerase blocked export of recombinant FLAG-topoisomerase II alpha, indicating that both signals may be required for export. Interestingly, this pair of nuclear export signals (1017-1028 and 1054-1066) also defines a dimerization domain of the topoisomerase II alpha molecule.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Control of the nuclear-cytoplasmic partitioning of annexin II by a nuclear export signal and by p11 binding.

This study investigated mechanisms controlling the nuclear-cytoplasmic partitioning of annexin II (AnxII). AnxII and its ligand, p11, were localized by immunofluorescence to the cytoplasmic compartment of U1242MG cells, with minimal AnxII or p11 detected within nuclei. Similarly, GFP-AnxII and GFP-p11 chimeras localized to the endogenous proteins. Likewise, GFP-AnxII(1-22) was excluded from nuclei, whereas GFP-AnxII(23-338) and GFP alone were distributed throughout the cells. Immunoprecipitation and biochemical studies showed that GFP-AnxII did not form heteromeric complexes with endogenous p11 and AnxII. Thus, the AnxII N-tail is necessary and sufficient to cause nuclear exclusion of the GFP fusion protein but this does not involve p11 binding. A nuclear export signal consensus sequence was found in the AnxII 3-12 region. The consensus mutant GFP-AnxII(L10A/L12A) confirmed that these residues are necessary for nuclear exclusion. The nuclear exclusion of GFP-AnxII(1-22) was temperature-dependent and reversible, and the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B (LmB) caused GFP-AnxII or overexpressed AnxII monomer to accumulate in nuclei. Therefore, AnxII monomer can enter the nucleus and is actively exported. However, LmB had little effect on the localization of AnxII/p11 complex in U1242MG cells, indicating that the complex is sequestered in the cytoplasm. By contrast, LmB treatment of v-src-transformed fibroblasts caused endogenous AnxII to accumulate in nuclei. The LmB-induced nuclear accumulation of AnxII was accelerated by pervanadate and inhibited by genistein, suggesting that phosphorylation promotes nuclear entry of AnxII. Thus, nuclear exclusion of AnxII results from nuclear export of the monomer and sequestration of AnxII/p11 complex, and may be modulated by phosphorylation.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

A nuclear export signal in Kap95p is required for both recycling the import factor and interaction with the nucleoporin GLFG repeat regions of Nup116p and Nup100p.

During nuclear import, cytosolic transport factors move through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) to the nuclear compartment. Kap95p is required during import for docking the nuclear localization signal-receptor and ligand to the NPC. Recycling of this factor back to the cytoplasm is necessary for continued rounds of import; however, the mechanism for Kap95p recycling is unknown. We have determined that recycling of Kap95p requires a nuclear export signal (NES). A region containing the NES in Kap95p was sufficient to mediate active nuclear export in a microinjection assay. Moreover, the NES was necessary for function. Mutation of the NES in Kap95p resulted in a temperaturesensitive import mutant, and immunofluorescence microscopy experiments showed that the mutated Kap95p was not recycled but instead localized in the nucleus and at the nuclear envelope. Srp1p, the yeast nuclear localization signal-receptor, also accumulated in the nuclei of the arrested kap95 mutant cells. Wild-type and NES-mutated Kap95p both bound Gsp1p (the yeast Ran/TC4 homologue), Srp1p, and the FXFG repeat region of the nucleoporin Nup1p. In contrast, the NES mutation abolished Kap95p interaction with the GLFG repeat regions from the nucleoporins Nup116p and Nup100p. In vivo interaction was demonstrated by isolation of Kap95p from yeast nuclear lysates in either protein A-tagged Nup116p or protein A-tagged Nup100p complexes. The protein A-tagged Nup116p complex also specifically contained Gle2p. These results support a model in which a step in the recycling of Kap95p is mediated by interaction of an NES with GLFG regions. Analysis of genetic interactions suggests Nup116p has a primary role in Kap95p recycling, with Nup100p compensating in the absence of Nup116p. This finding highlights an important role for a subfamily of GLFG nucleoporins in nuclear export processes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nuclear export signal in CDC25B.

CDC25B is a dual-specificity phosphatase that activates CDK1/cyclin B. The nuclear exclusion of CDC25B is controlled by the binding of 14-3-3 to the nuclear export signal (NES) of CDC25B, which was reported to be amino acids H28 to L40 in the N-terminal region of CDC25B. In studying the subcellular localization of CDC25B, we found a functional NES at V52 to L65, the sequence of which is VTTLTQTMHDLAGL, where bold letters are leucine or hydrophobic amino acids frequently seen in an NES. The deletion of this NES sequence caused the mutant protein to locate exclusively in nuclei, while NES-fused GFP was detected in the cytoplasm. Moreover, the introduction of point mutations at some of the critical amino acids impaired cytoplasmic localization. Treatment with leptomycin B, a potent inhibitor of CRM1/exportin1, disrupted the cytoplasmic localization of both Flag-tagged CDC25B and NES-fused GFP. From these results, we concluded that the sequence we found is a bona fide NES of CDC25B.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Subcellular localization of beta-arrestins is determined by their intact N domain and the nuclear export signal at the C terminus.

beta-Arrestin1 and beta-arrestin2 play a key role in the regulation of G protein-coupled receptor-mediated signaling, whereas the subcellular distribution of beta-arrestin1 and beta-arrestin2 has been shown to be quite different. In this study, we found that although both beta-arrestin1 and beta-arrestin2 are able to interact with ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3) Mdm2, only expression of beta-arrestin2 leads to the relocalization of Mdm2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Further study reveals that beta-arrestin2 but not beta-arrestin1 shuttles between the cytoplasm and nucleus in a leptomycin B-sensitive manner. A hydrophobic amino acid-rich region (VXXXFXXLXL) at the C terminus of beta-arrestin2 was further demonstrated to serve as a nuclear export signal responsible for the extranuclear localization of beta-arrestin2. In the corresponding region of beta-arrestin1, there is a single amino acid difference (Glu instead of Leu in beta-arrestin2), and mutation of Glu to Leu conferred to beta-arrestin1 similar subcellular distribution to that of beta-arrestin2. Moreover, data from a series of deletion mutations demonstrated that the N domain (residues 1-185) was indispensable for the nuclear localization of both beta-arrestins, and the results from a Val to Asp point mutation in the N domain also supported this notion. In addition, our data showed that nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of beta-arrestin2 was required, via protein/protein interaction, for the cytoplasmic relocalization of Mdm2 and JNK3, another well known beta-arrestin2-binding protein. Our study thus suggests that both the nuclear export signal motif and the N domain of beta-arrestins are critical for the regulation of their subcellular localization and that beta-arrestin2 may modulate the function of its binding partners such as Mdm2 and JNK3 by alteration of their subcellular distribution.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Characterization of a nuclear export signal within the human T cell leukemia virus type I transactivator protein Tax.

Human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is the etiologic agent of adult T cell leukemia and HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. The HTLV-I transactivator protein Tax plays an integral role in the etiology of adult T cell leukemia, as expression of Tax in T lymphocytes has been shown to result in immortalization. In addition, Tax is known to interface with numerous transcription factor families, including activating transcription factor/cAMP response element-binding protein and nuclear factor-kappaB, requiring Tax to localize to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. In this report, the nucleocytoplasmic localization of Tax was examined in Jurkat, HeLa, and U-87 MG cells. The results reported herein indicate that Tax contains a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) that, when fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), can direct nuclear export via the CRM-1 pathway, as determined by leptomycin B inhibition of nuclear export. However, cytoplasmic localization of full-length Tax was not altered by treatment with leptomycin B, suggesting that native Tax utilizes another nuclear export pathway. Additional support for the presence of a functional NES has also been shown because the NES mutant Tax(L200A)-GFP localized to the nuclear membrane in the majority of U-87 MG cells. Evidence has also been provided suggesting that the Tax NES likely exists as a conditionally masked signal because the truncation mutant TaxDelta214-GFP localized constitutively to the cytoplasm. These results suggest that Tax localization may be directed by specific changes in Tax conformation or by specific interactions with cellular proteins leading to changes in the availability of the Tax NES and nuclear localization signal.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Characterization of the nuclear export signal in the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus nucleocapsid protein.

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) localizes to the cytoplasm and nucleolus and contains an eight-amino-acid nucleolar retention motif. In this study, a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) (291-LQLDGLHL-298) present in the C-terminal region of the IBV N protein was analyzed by using alanine substitution and deletion mutagenesis to investigate the relative contributions that leucine residues make to nuclear export and where these residues are located on the structure of the IBV N protein. The analysis indicated that Leu296 and Leu298 are required for efficient nuclear export of the protein. Structural information indicated that both of these amino acids are available for interaction with protein complexes involved in this process. However, export of N protein from the nucleus/nucleolus was not inhibited by leptomycin B treatment, indicating that N protein nuclear export is independent of the CRM1-mediated export pathway.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Two nuclear export signals specify the cytoplasmic localization of calcineurin B homologous protein 1.

We previously showed that calcineurin B homologous protein 1 (CHP1) interacts with nuclear apoptosis-inducing protein kinase DRAK2, and that overexpression of DRAK2 induces the nuclear accumulation of CHP1, although CHP1 usually resides in the cytoplasm [Matsumoto et al. (2001) J. Biochem. 130, 217-225]. Here we show that CHP1 has two functional nuclear export signal (NES) sequences in its carboxyl-terminal region. Treatment of several cell lines with leptomycin B, a specific inhibitor of CRM1-dependent nuclear export, induces the nuclear accumulation of CHP1. Moreover, CHP1-GFP fusion proteins with deletions or point mutations affecting the two putative NES sequences accumulate in the nucleus to a greater extent than wild-type CHP1-GFP. Tagging glutathione S-transferase-GFP fusion protein with each NES sequence caused a shift in their intracellular localization from all over the cells to the cytoplasm. These results suggest that after CHP1 has entered the nucleus, it is exported to the cytoplasm in an NES-dependent manner.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

A novel regulatory mechanism in the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade. Role of nuclear export signal of MAP kinase kinase.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MAPKK, also known as MEK), a direct activator for MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, localizes to the cytoplasm excluded from the nucleus during signal transmission. This nuclear exclusion of MAPKK is directed by its nuclear export signal (NES), but its physiological significance has been unknown. We have found that disruption of the NES dramatically potentiates the ability of constitutively active MAPKK to induce morphological changes and malignant transformation of fibroblastic cells. Readdition of the NES sequence reversed the effects induced by the NES disruption. Moreover, we observed that a dramatic increase of activated MAPK in the nucleus was induced by the NES-disrupted MAPKK and that coexpression of MAPK phosphatase-1 (CL-100) or a kinase negative form of MAPK counteracted the phenotypes induced by the NES-disrupted MAPKK, indicating the crucial role of MAPK in the responses. These findings reveal a novel regulatory role of the NES of MAPKK that may be essential for proper signal transductions.

Animals↗

Huntingtin contains a highly conserved nuclear export signal.

Huntington's disease (HD), is a genetic neurodegenerative disease characterized by a DNA CAG triplet repeat expansion in the first exon of the disease gene, HD. CAG DNA expansion results in a polyglutamine tract expansion in mutant huntingtin protein. Wild-type and mutant full-length huntingtin have been detected in the nucleus, but elevated levels of mutant huntingtin and huntingtin amino-terminal proteolytic fragments are seen to accumulate in the nuclei of HD-affected neurons. The presence of huntingtin in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm suggested that huntingtin may be dynamic between these compartments. By live cell time-lapse video microscopy, we have been able to visualize polyglutamine-mediated aggregation and the transient nuclear localization of huntingtin over time in a striatal cell line. A classical nuclear localization signal could not be detected in huntingtin, but we have discovered a nuclear export signal (NES) in the carboxy-terminus of huntingtin. Leptomycin B treatment of clonal striatal cells enhanced the nuclear localization of huntingtin, and a mutant NES huntingtin displayed increased nuclear localization, indicating that huntingtin can shuttle to and from the nucleus. The huntingtin NES is strictly conserved among all huntingtin proteins from diverse species. This export signal may be important in Huntington's disease because this fragment of huntingtin is proteolytically cleaved away during HD. The huntingtin NES therefore defines a potential role for huntingtin as a member of a nucleocytoplasmic dynamic protein complex.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

A nuclear export signal and phosphorylation regulate Dok1 subcellular localization and functions.

Dok1 is believed to be a mainly cytoplasmic adaptor protein which down-regulates mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, inhibits cell proliferation and transformation, and promotes cell spreading and cell migration. Here we show that Dok1 shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Treatment of cells with leptomycin B (LMB), a specific inhibitor of the nuclear export signal (NES)-dependent receptor CRM1, causes nuclear accumulation of Dok1. We have identified a functional NES (348LLKAKLTDPKED359) that plays a major role in the cytoplasmic localization of Dok1. Src-induced tyrosine phosphorylation prevented the LMB-mediated nuclear accumulation of Dok1. Dok1 cytoplasmic localization is also dependent on IKKbeta. Serum starvation or maintaining cells in suspension favor Dok1 nuclear localization, while serum stimulation, exposure to growth factor, or cell adhesion to a substrate induce cytoplasmic localization. Functionally, nuclear NES-mutant Dok1 had impaired ability to inhibit cell proliferation and to promote cell spreading and cell motility. Taken together, our results provide the first evidence that Dok1 transits through the nucleus and is actively exported into the cytoplasm by the CRM1 nuclear export system. Nuclear export modulated by external stimuli and phosphorylation may be a mechanism by which Dok1 is maintained in the cytoplasm and membrane, thus regulating its signaling functions.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗