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Ran-binding protein 1 (RanBP1) forms a ternary complex with Ran and karyopherin beta and reduces Ran GTPase-activating protein (RanGAP) inhibition by karyopherin beta.

The nuclear accumulation of proteins containing nuclear localization signals requires the Ran GTPase and a complex of proteins assembled at the nuclear pore. RanBP1 is a cytosolic Ran-binding protein that inhibits RCC1-stimulated release of GTP from Ran. RanBP1 also promotes the binding of Ran to karyopherin beta (also called importin beta and p97) and is a co-stimulator of RanGAP activity. Yeast karyopherin beta inhibits the GTP hydrolysis by Ran catalyzed by RanGAP. To further define the roles of RanBP1 and karyopherin beta in Ran function, we explored the effects of RanBP1 and karyopherin beta on mammalian proteins known to regulate Ran. Like RanBP1, karyopherin beta prevented the release of GTP from Ran stimulated by RCC1 or EDTA. As with the yeast protein, mammalian karyopherin beta completely blocked RanGAP activity. However, the addition of RanBP1 to this assay partially rescued the inhibited RanGAP activity. Kinetic analysis of the effects on RanGAP activity by karyopherin beta and RanBP1 revealed a combination of competitive and noncompetitive interactions. Solution binding assays confirmed the ability of RanBP1 to associate with Ran and karyopherin beta in a ternary complex, and RanBP1 binding was not competed out by the addition of karyopherin beta. These results demonstrate that RanBP1 and karyopherin beta interact with distinct sites of Ran and suggest that RanBP1 plays an essential role in nuclear transport by permitting RanGAP-mediated hydrolysis of GTP on Ran complexed to karyopherin beta.

Binding, Competitive

The binding site of karyopherin alpha for karyopherin beta overlaps with a nuclear localization sequence.

By using proteolysis, recombinant mutant proteins, or synthetic peptides and by testing these reagents in liquid phase binding or nuclear import assays, we have mapped binding regions of karyopherin alpha. We found that the C-terminal region of karyopherin alpha recognizes the nuclear localization sequence (NLS), whereas its N-terminal region binds karyopherin beta. Surprisingly, karyopherin alpha also contains an NLS. Thus, karyopherin alpha belongs to a group of proteins that contain both a ligand (NLS) and a cognate receptor (NLS recognition site) in one molecule with a potential for autologous ligand-receptor interactions. The NLS of karyopherin alpha overlaps with the binding site of karyopherin alpha for karyopherin beta. Hence, binding of karyopherin beta to karyopherin alpha covers the NLS of karyopherin alpha. This prevents autologous ligand receptor interactions and explains the observed cooperative binding of karyopherin alpha to a heterologous NLS protein in the presence of karyopherin beta.

Amino Acid Sequence

The nuclear transport factor karyopherin beta binds stoichiometrically to Ran-GTP and inhibits the Ran GTPase activating protein.

The heterodimeric karyopherin functions in targeting a nuclear localization sequence (NLS)-containing protein to the nuclear pore complex followed by Ran-GTP and p10-mediated translocation of the NLS protein into the nucleoplasm. It was shown recently that Ran-GTP dissociated the karyopherin heterodimer and, in doing so, associated with karyopherin beta (Rexach, M., and Blobel, G. (1995) Cell 83, 683-692). We show here, using all recombinant yeast proteins expressed in Escherichia coli, that karyopherin beta binds to Ran-GTP and inhibits GTP hydrolysis stimulated by RanGAP (the Ran-specific GTPase activating protein). Inhibition of RanGAP-stimulated GTP hydrolysis by karyopherin beta was dependent on karyopherin beta concentration relative to Ran-GTP. Complete inhibition of RanGAP was observed at karyopherin beta concentrations that were equimolar to Ran-GTP. In gel filtration experiments, we found Ran-GTP and karyopherin beta to form a stoichiometric complex. Ran-GDP bound only weakly to karyopherin beta. We propose that stoichiometric complex formation between karyopherin beta and Ran-GTP renders Ran-GTP inaccessible to RanGAP.

Base Sequence

Disassembly of RanGTP-karyopherin beta complex, an intermediate in nuclear protein import.

We previously showed that RanGTP forms a 1:1 complex with karyopherin beta that renders RanGTP inaccessible to RanGAP (Floer, M., and Blobel, G. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 5313-5316) and karyopherin beta functionally inactive (Rexach, M., and Blobel, G. (1995) Cell 83, 683-692). Recycling of both factors for another round of function requires dissociation of the RanGTP-karyopherin beta complex. Here we show using BIAcoreTM, a solution binding assay, and GTP hydrolysis and exchange assays, with yeast proteins, that karyopherin beta and RanGTP are recycled efficiently in a reaction that involves karyopherin alpha, RanBP1, RanGAP, and the C terminus of the nucleoporin Nup1. We find that karyopherin alpha first releases RanGTP from karyopherin beta in a reaction that does not require GTP hydrolysis. The released RanGTP is then sequestered by RanBP1, and the newly formed karyopherin alphabeta binds to the C terminus of Nup1. Finally, RanGTP is converted to RanGDP via nucleotide hydrolysis when RanGAP is present. Conversion of RanGTP to RanGDP can also occur via nucleotide exchange in the presence of RanGEF, an excess of GDP, and if RanBP1 is absent. Additional nucleoporin domains that bind karyopherin alphabeta stimulate recycling of karyopherin beta and Ran in a manner similar to the C terminus of Nup1.

Guanosine Diphosphate

Distinct nuclear import and export pathways mediated by members of the karyopherin beta family.

Transport of proteins into and out of the nucleus occurs through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and is mediated by the interaction of transport factors with nucleoporins at the NPC. Nuclear import of proteins containing classical nuclear localization signals (NLSs) is mediated by a heterodimeric protein complex, composed of karyopherin alpha and beta1, that docks via beta1 the NLS-protein to the NPC. The GTPase Ran; the RanGDP binding protein, p10; and the RanGTP binding protein, RanBP1 are involved in translocation of the docked NLS-protein into the nucleus. Recently, new distinct nuclear import and export pathways that are mediated by members of the karyopherin beta family have been discovered. Karyopherin beta2 mediates import of mRNA binding proteins, whereas karyopherin beta3 and beta4 mediate import of a set of ribosomal proteins. Two other beta karyopherin family members, CRM1 and CAS, mediate export of proteins containing leucine-rich nuclear export signals (NES) and reexport of karyopherin alpha, respectively. This growing family contains new members that constitute potential transport factors for cargoes yet to be identified in the future. The common features of the members of karyopherin beta family are the ability to bind RanGTP and the ability to interact directly with nucleoporins at the NPC. The challenge for the future will be to identify the distinct or, perhaps, overlapping cargo(es) for each member of the karyopherin beta superfamily and to characterize the molecular mechanisms of translocation of karyopherins together with their cargoes through the NPC.

Animals

Nuclear import of hnRNP A1 is mediated by a novel cellular cofactor related to karyopherin-beta.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 contains a sequence, termed M9, that functions as a potent nuclear localization signal (NLS) yet bears no similarity to the well-defined basic class of NLSs. Here, we report the identification of a novel human protein, termed MIP, that binds M9 specifically both in vivo and in vitro yet fails to interact with non-functional M9 point mutants. Of note, the 101 kDa MIP protein bears significant homology to human karyopherin/importin-beta, a protein known to mediate the function of basic NLSs. The in vitro nuclear import of a protein substrate containing the M9 NLS was found to be dependent on provision of the MIP protein in trans. Cytoplasmic microinjection of a truncated form of MIP that retains the M9 binding site blocked the in vivo nuclear import of a substrate containing the M9 NLS yet failed to affect the import of a similar substrate bearing a basic NLS. These data indicate that nuclear import of hnRNP A1 is mediated by a novel cellular import pathway that is distinct from, yet evolutionarily related to, the pathway utilized by basic NLS sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence

Characterization of p92, karyopherin beta, co-purified with N-acetylglucosamine-bearing nucleoporins from rat liver nuclear envelopes.

A 92k protein (p92) was purified from the wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose (WGA-Sepharose) bound fraction of a rat liver nuclear envelope salt-extract by DEAE-5PW and hydroxyapatite HPLCs. Partial amino acid sequence analysis of p92 revealed that it is karyopherin beta, which was found recently in the cytosolic fraction. It was shown using anti-p92 antiserum that the protein is present in the nuclear envelope and cytosolic fractions, in almost the same amounts, but not in other subcellular fractions of rat liver. p92 bound to N-acetylglucosamine bearing nucleoporins (GNPs) on WGA-Sepharose, but not directly to WGA. The amount of p92 found in the rat liver nuclear envelope fraction corresponded to about 10% of the nuclear pore complex in mass, and to as much as 140 mol of p92 per mol of nuclear pore complex. Hydrodynamic analysis of the purified p92 suggested that the molecule is present as a monomer and that it is a rod-shaped molecule. The interaction of p92 and GNPs seemed to be hydrophobic and ionic. Based on these results, the participation of nuclear envelope p92 in protein nuclear transport is discussed.

Acetylglucosamine

Previously identified protein of uncertain function is karyopherin alpha and together with karyopherin beta docks import substrate at nuclear pore complexes.

Previously, we had purified a cytosolic protein complex, termed karyopherin, that functions in docking import substrate at the nuclear envelope in digitonin-permeabilized cells and also had molecularly cloned and sequenced its 97-kDa beta subunit. We now report that the karyopherin alpha subunit is the previously identified protein NPI-1/SRP-1 of hitherto uncertain function. Using purified recombinant karyopherin alpha or beta subunit, we showed that neither karyopherin alpha nor karyopherin beta alone was sufficient for docking of import substrate at the nuclear envelope. Docking occurred only when both subunits were present. Moreover, docking of import substrate by the two recombinant karyopherin subunits was productive, as it led to nuclear internalization of the docked substrate in the presence of additional, previously characterized cytosolic factors. In a binding assay using immobilized karyopherin alpha and beta subunits and import substrate as a ligand, we found that only karyopherin alpha bound ligand. We suggest that karyopherin beta functions as an adaptor that binds both to karyopherin alpha and to any of a large number of docking sites that are represented by a repetitive peptide motif containing nucleoporins on both the cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic side of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), bidirectionally ferrying a complex of karyopherin alpha-substrate across the NPC.

Animals

Identification of a yeast karyopherin heterodimer that targets import substrate to mammalian nuclear pore complexes.

Targeting of import substrate to nuclear pore complexes of permeabilized vertebrate cells was previously shown to require a protein complex composed of two subunits, termed karyopherin. Yeast contain a homologue of karyopherin alpha named Srp1p, which was initially identified as a genetic suppressor of mutations in a subunit of RNA polymerase I. To determine whether yeast contain a karyopherin complex that includes Srp1p as the karyopherin alpha homologue, we genetically replaced Srp1p with a Srp1-Protein A chimera. Cytosol from this strain contained a complex, composed of the chimera and a protein of 95 kDa, that was purified using affinity chromatography on IgG Sepharose. Microsequence analysis showed that the 95-kDa protein was identical with a yeast protein encoded by gene L8300.15 on chromosome XII. Sequence comparison revealed that the L8300.15 gene product is the closest structural homologue of vertebrate karyopherin beta. The yeast alpha and beta karyopherin subunits were expressed in Escherichia coli and were purified. When combined, they formed a heterodimeric complex and were active in targeting import substrate to nuclear envelopes of mammalian cells. We propose that all karyopherins function as alpha/beta heterodimers.

Amino Acid Sequence

Ran binding domains promote the interaction of Ran with p97/beta-karyopherin, linking the docking and translocation steps of nuclear import.

Nuclear protein import is accomplished by two sequential events; docking at the nuclear pore complex followed by ATP-dependent translocation across the nuclear envelope. Docking of nuclear targeted proteins requires a 56-kDa nuclear localization signal receptor (alpha-karyopherin, importin-alpha, SRP1 alpha) and a 97-kDa protein (beta-karyopherin, importin-beta). Components necessary for translocation include the Ran/TC4 GTPase and NTF2/B-2. The functions of these factors at a molecular level remain unclear. We have now found that a complex of Ran, in the GTP-bound state, with either the Ran binding protein, RanBP1, or an isolated Ran binding domain binds with high affinity and specificity to beta-karyopherin to form a ternary complex. We find that a C-terminal truncation mutant of Ran, delta-DE Ran, also binds to beta-karyopherin and that delta-DE Ran can associate with a cytosolic, multiprotein complex that contains beta-karyopherin and another delta-DE Ran binding protein of 115/120 kDa. These data suggest a physical link between docking and translocation mediated by a Ran GTPase-Ran binding protein complex.

Amino Acid Sequence

Overexpression of yeast karyopherin Pse1p/Kap121p stimulates the mitochondrial import of hydrophobic proteins in vivo.

During evolution, cellular processes leading to the transfer of genetic information failed to send all the mitochondrial genes into the nuclear genome. Two mitochondrial genes are still exclusively located in the mitochondrial genome of all living organisms. They code for two highly hydrophobic proteins: the apocytochrome b and the subunit I of cytochrome oxidase. Assuming that the translocation machinery could not efficiently transport long hydrophobic fragments, we searched for multicopy suppressors of this physical blockage. We demonstrated that overexpression of Pse1p/Kap121p or Kap123p, which belong to the superfamily of karyopherin beta proteins, facilitates the translocation of chimeric proteins containing several stretches of apocytochrome b fused to a reporter mitochondrial gene. The effect of PSE1/KAP121 overexpression (in which PSE1 is protein secretion enhancer 1) on mitochondrial import of the chimera is correlated with an enrichment of the corresponding transcript in cytoplasmic ribosomes associated with mitochondria. PSE1/KAP121 overexpression also improves the import of the hydrophobic protein Atm1p, an ABC transporter of the mitochondrial inner membrane. These results suggest that in vivo PSE1/KAP121 overexpression facilitates, either directly or indirectly, the co-translational import of hydrophobic proteins into mitochondria.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters

Viral protein R regulates docking of the HIV-1 preintegration complex to the nuclear pore complex.

Replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in non-dividing cells depends critically on import of the viral preintegration complex into the nucleus. Recent evidence suggests that viral protein R (Vpr) plays a key regulatory role in this process by binding to karyopherin alpha, a cellular receptor for nuclear localization signals, and increasing its affinity for the nuclear localization signals. An in vitro binding assay was used to investigate the role of Vpr in docking of the HIV-1 preintegration complex (PIC) to the nuclear pore complex. Mutant HIV-1 PICs that lack Vpr were impaired in the ability to dock to isolated nuclei and recombinant nucleoporins. Although Vpr by itself associated with nucleoporins, the docking of Vpr+ PICs was dependent on karyopherin beta and was blocked by antibodies to beta. Vpr stabilized docking by preventing nucleoporin-stimulated dissociation of the import complex. These results suggest a biochemical mechanism for Vpr function in transport of the HIV-1 genome across the nuclear pore complex.

Cell Line

A T42A Ran mutation: differential interactions with effectors and regulators, and defect in nuclear protein import.

Ran, the small, predominantly nuclear GTPase, has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes including cell cycle progression, nuclear-cytoplasmic trafficking of RNA and protein, nuclear structure, and DNA synthesis. It is not known whether Ran functions directly in each process or whether many of its roles may be secondary to a direct role in only one, for example, nuclear protein import. To identify biochemical links between Ran and its functional target(s), we have generated and examined the properties of a putative Ran effector mutation, T42A-Ran. T42A-Ran binds guanine nucleotides as well as wild-type Ran and responds as well as wild-type Ran to GTP or GDP exchange stimulated by the Ran-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, RCC1. T42A-Ran.GDP also retains the ability to bind p10/NTF2, a component of the nuclear import pathway. In contrast to wild-type Ran, T42A-Ran.GTP binds very weakly or not detectably to three proposed Ran effectors, Ran-binding protein 1 (RanBP1), Ran-binding protein 2 (RanBP2, a nucleoporin), and karyopherin beta (a component of the nuclear protein import pathway), and is not stimulated to hydrolyze bound GTP by Ran GTPase-activating protein, RanGAP1. Also in contrast to wild-type Ran, T42A-Ran does not stimulate nuclear protein import in a digitonin permeabilized cell assay and also inhibits wild-type Ran function in this system. However, the T42A mutation does not block the docking of karyophilic substrates at the nuclear pore. These properties of T42A-Ran are consistent with its classification as an effector mutant and define the exposed region of Ran containing the mutation as a probable effector loop.

Amino Acid Substitution

Role of the nuclear transport factor p10 in nuclear import.

The nuclear import factor p10 was cloned from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and found to be essential. The protein p10 can bind directly to several peptide repeat-containing nucleoporins. It also binds to the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Ran in its guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-bound form and to karyopherin beta. Assembly of the karyopherin heterodimer on immobilized nucleoporin yielded cooperative binding of p10 and Ran-GDP. Addition of GTP to this pentameric complex led to dissociation of karyopherin (chi, presumably via in situ formation of Ran-GTP from Ran-GDP. Thus, p10 appears to coordinate the Ran-dependent association and dissociation reactions underlying nuclear import.

Biological Transport, Active

Mammalian karyopherin alpha 1 beta and alpha 2 beta heterodimers: alpha 1 or alpha 2 subunit binds nuclear localization signal and beta subunit interacts with peptide repeat-containing nucleoporins.

Although only 44% identical to human karyopherin alpha 1, human karyopherin alpha 2 (Rch1 protein) substituted for human karyopherin alpha 1 (hSRP-1/NPI-1) in recognizing a standard nuclear localization sequence and karyopherin beta-dependent targeting to the nuclear envelope of digitonin-permeabilized cells. By immunofluorescence microscopy of methanol-fixed cells, karyopherin beta was localized to the cytoplasm and the nuclear envelope and was absent from the nuclear interior. Digitonin permeabilization of buffalo rat liver cells depleted their endogenous karyopherin beta. Recombinant karyopherin beta can bind directly to the nuclear envelope of digitonin-permeabilized cells at 0 degree C (docking reaction). In contrast, recombinant karyopherin alpha 1 or alpha 2 did not bind unless karyopherin beta was present. Likewise, in an import reaction (at 20 degrees C) with all recombinant transport factors (karyopherin alpha 1 or alpha 2, karyopherin beta, Ran, and p10) import depended on karyopherin beta. Localization of the exogenously added transport factors after a 30-min import reaction showed karyopherin beta at the nuclear envelope and karyopherin alpha 1 or alpha 2, Ran, and p10 in the nuclear interior. In an overlay assay with SDS/PAGE-resolved and nitrocellulose-transferred proteins of the nuclear envelope, 35S-labeled karyopherin beta bound to at least four peptide repeat-containing nucleoporins--Nup358, Nup214, Nup153, and Nup98.

Animals

Expression in yeast of binding regions of karyopherins alpha and beta inhibits nuclear import and cell growth.

Using truncated forms of recombinant yeast karyopherins alpha and beta in in vitro binding assays, we mapped the regions of karyopherin alpha that bind to karyopherin beta and the regions of karyopherin beta that interact with karyopherin alpha and with Ran-GTP. Karyopherin alpha's binding region for karyopherin beta was localized to its N-terminal domain, which contains several clusters of basic residues, whereas karyopherin beta's binding region for karyopherin alpha was localized to an internal region containing two clusters of acidic residues. Karyopherin beta's binding region for Ran-GTP overlaps with that for karyopherin alpha and comprises at least one of the two acidic clusters required for karyopherin alpha binding in addition to further downstream determinants not required for karyopherin alpha binding. Overexpression in yeast of fragments containing either karyopherin beta's binding region for alpha and Ran-GTP or karyopherin alpha's binding region for beta resulted in sequestration of most of the cytosolic karyopherin alpha or karyopherin beta, respectively, in complexes containing the truncated proteins. As these binding region-containing fragments lack other domains required for function of the corresponding protein, the overexpression of either fragment also inhibited in vivo nuclear import of a model reporter protein as well as cell growth.

Animals

Protein import into nuclei: association and dissociation reactions involving transport substrate, transport factors, and nucleoporins.

The molecular dynamics of nuclear protein import were examined in a solution binding assay by testing for interactions between a protein containing a nuclear localization signal (NLS), the transport factors karyopherin alpha, karyopherin beta, and Ran, and FXFG or GLFG repeat regions of nucleoporins. We found that karyopherins alpha and beta cooperate to bind FXFG but not GLFG repeat regions. Binding of the NLS protein to karyopherin alpha was enhanced by karyopherin beta. Two novel reactions were discovered. First, incubation of a karyopherin heterodimer-NLS protein complex with an FXFG repeat region stimulated the dissociation of the NLS protein from the karyopherin heterodimer. Second, incubation of the karyopherin heterodimer with RanGTP (or with a Ran mutant that cannot hydrolyze GTP) led to the dissociation of karyopherin alpha from beta and to an association of Ran with karyopherin beta; RanGDP had no effect. We propose that movement of NLS proteins across the nuclear pore complex is a stochastic process that operates via repeated association-dissociation reactions.

Amino Acid Sequence

Nuclear pore-targeting complex and its role on nuclear protein transport.

The process of selective nuclear protein transport is divided into at least two steps: 1) ATP-independent, nuclear localization signal (NLS)-dependent binding to the cytoplasmic face of nuclear pores and 2) ATP-dependent translocation through the nuclear pores. Using a digitonin-permeabilized cell-free transport assay, it was found that a karyophile forms a stable complex with a cytoplasmic fraction to target the nuclear pores. Since this complex shows nuclear pore-binding activity, we have referred to it as the nuclear Pore-Targeting Complex (PTAC). The complex contains two essential proteins. The 58 kDa component of PTAC (PTAC 58; importin alpha; karyopherin alpha) was found to bind directly to NLS. The 97 kDa component of PTAC (PTAC 97; importin beta; karyopherin beta) associates with PTAC 58, but not karyophile. A complex of PTAC 58 and PTAC 97 targets nuclear pores, depending on the presence of a karyophile. The data suggest that the initial step in nuclear protein transport occurs as a result of complex formation of a karyophile with PTAC 58 which is, in turn, bound to PTAC 97.

Animals