Characterization of the nuclear protein import mechanism using Ran mutants with altered nucleotide binding specificities

Karsten Weis, Colin Dingwall, Angus I. Lamond

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    121 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The small nuclear GTP binding protein Ran is required for transport of nuclear proteins through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Although it is known that GTP hydrolysis by Ran is essential for this reaction, it has been unclear whether additional energy-consuming steps are also required. To uncouple the energy requirements for Ran from other nucleoside triphosphatases, we constructed a mutant derivative of Ran that has an altered nucleotide specificity from GTP to xanthosine 5' triphosphate. Using this Ran mutant, we demonstrate that nucleotide hydrolysis by Ran is sufficient to promote efficient nuclear protein import in vitro. Under these conditions, protein import could no longer be inhibited with non-hydrolysable nucleotide analogues, indicating that no Ran-independent energy-requiring steps are essential for the protein translocation reaction through the NPC. We further provide evidence that nuclear protein import requires Ran in the GDP form in the cytoplasm. This suggests that a coordinated exchange reaction from Ran-GDP to Ran-GTP at the pore is necessary for translocation into the nucleus.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)7120-7128
    Number of pages9
    JournalEMBO Journal
    Volume15
    Issue number24
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 16 Dec 1996

    Keywords

    • Nuclear pore complex
    • Nuclear protein import
    • Ran
    • Translocation
    • XTP

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Neuroscience
    • Molecular Biology
    • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
    • General Immunology and Microbiology

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