Defective nuclear import of Tpr in Progeria reflects the Ran sensitivity of large cargo transport

J Cell Biol. 2013 May 13;201(4):541-57. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201212117. Epub 2013 May 6.

Abstract

The RanGTPase acts as a master regulator of nucleocytoplasmic transport by controlling assembly and disassembly of nuclear transport complexes. RanGTP is required in the nucleus to release nuclear localization signal (NLS)-containing cargo from import receptors, and, under steady-state conditions, Ran is highly concentrated in the nucleus. We previously showed the nuclear/cytoplasmic Ran distribution is disrupted in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome (HGPS) fibroblasts that express the Progerin form of lamin A, causing a major defect in nuclear import of the protein, translocated promoter region (Tpr). In this paper, we show that Tpr import was mediated by the most abundant import receptor, KPNA2, which binds the bipartite NLS in Tpr with nanomolar affinity. Analyses including NLS swapping revealed Progerin did not cause global inhibition of nuclear import. Rather, Progerin inhibited Tpr import because transport of large protein cargoes was sensitive to changes in the Ran nuclear/cytoplasmic distribution that occurred in HGPS. We propose that defective import of large protein complexes with important roles in nuclear function may contribute to disease-associated phenotypes in Progeria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Lamin Type A
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Localization Signals
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Progeria / genetics*
  • Progeria / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Precursors / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • alpha Karyopherins / genetics
  • alpha Karyopherins / metabolism*
  • ran GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • KPNA2 protein, human
  • Lamin Type A
  • Nuclear Localization Signals
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Protein Precursors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • TPR protein, human
  • alpha Karyopherins
  • prelamin A
  • ran GTP-Binding Protein