F. Ralf Bischoff

Identification of a tRNA-Specific Nuclear Export Receptor

In eukaryotes, tRNAs are synthesized in the nucleus and after several maturation steps exported to the cytoplasm. Here, we identify exportin-t as a specific mediator of tRNA export. It is a RanGTP-binding, importin beta-related factor with predominantly nuclear localization. It shuttles rapidly between nucleus and cytoplasm and interacts with nuclear pore complexes. Exportin-t binds tRNA directly and with high affinity. Its cellular concentration in Xenopus oocytes was found to be rate-limiting for export of all tRNAs tested, as judged by microinjection experiments. RanGTP regulates the substrate-exportin-t interaction such that tRNA can be preferentially bound in the nucleus and released in the cytoplasm.

Yeast Los1p Has Properties of an Exportin-Like Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Factor for tRNA

ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae Los1p, which is genetically linked to the nuclear pore protein Nsp1p and several tRNA biogenesis factors, was recently grouped into the family of importin/karyopherin-β-like proteins on the basis of its sequence similarity. In a two-hybrid screen, we identified Nup2p as a nucleoporin interacting with Los1p. Subsequent purification of Los1p from yeast demonstrates its physical association not only with Nup2p but also with Nsp1p. By the use of the Gsp1p-G21V mutant, Los1p was shown to preferentially bind to the GTP-bound form of yeast Ran. Furthermore, overexpression of full-length or N-terminally truncated Los1p was shown to have dominant-negative effects on cell growth and different nuclear export pathways. Finally, Los1p could interact with Gsp1p-GTP, but only in the presence of tRNA, as revealed in an indirect in vitro binding assay. These data confirm the homology between Los1p and the recently identified human exportin for tRNA and reinforce the possibility of a role for Los1p in nuclear export of tRNA in yeast.

RanBP1 is crucial for the release of RanGTP from importin β-related nuclear transport factors

Nucleocytoplasmic transport appears mediated by shuttling transport receptors that bind RanGTP as a means to regulate interactions with their cargoes. The receptor·RanGTP complexes are kinetically very stable with nucleotide exchange and GTP hydrolysis being blocked, predicting that a specific disassembly mechanism exists. Here we show in three cases receptor·RanGTP·RanBP1 complexes to be the key disassembly intermediates, where RanBP1 stimulates the off‐rate at the receptor/RanGTP interface by more than two orders of magnitude. The transiently released RanGTP·RanBP1 complex is then induced by RanGAP to hydrolyse GTP, preventing the receptor to rebind RanGTP. The efficient release of importin β from RanGTP requires importin α, in addition to RanBP1.

RanGTP-Regulated Interactions of CRM1 with Nucleoporins and a Shuttling DEAD-Box Helicase

ABSTRACT CRM1 is an export receptor mediating rapid nuclear exit of proteins and RNAs to the cytoplasm. CRM1 export cargoes include proteins with a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) that bind directly to CRM1 in a trimeric complex with RanGTP. Using a quantitative CRM1-NES cargo binding assay, significant differences in affinity for CRM1 among natural NESs are demonstrated, suggesting that the steady-state nucleocytoplasmic distribution of shuttling proteins could be determined by the relative strengths of their NESs. We also show that a trimeric CRM1-NES-RanGTP complex is disassembled by RanBP1 in the presence of RanGAP, even though RanBP1 itself contains a leucine-rich NES. Selection of CRM1-binding proteins from Xenopus egg extract leads to the identification of an NES-containing DEAD-box helicase, An3, that continuously shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In addition, we identify the Xenopus homologue of the nucleoporin CAN/Nup214 as a RanGTP- and NES cargo-specific binding site for CRM1, suggesting that this nucleoporin plays a role in export complex disassembly and/or CRM1 recycling.

Exportin 4: a mediator of a novel nuclear export pathway in higher eukaryotes.

Transport receptors of the importin β superfamily account for many of the nuclear import and export events in eukaryotic cells. They mediate translocation through nuclear pore complexes, shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm and co‐operate with the RanGTPase system to regulate their interactions with cargo molecules in a compartment‐specific manner. We used affinity chromatography on immobilized RanGTP to isolate further candidate nuclear transport receptors and thereby identified exportin 4 as the most distant member of the importin β family so far. Exportin 4 appears to be conserved amongst higher eukaryotes, but lacks obvious orthologues in yeast. It mediates nuclear export of eIF‐5A (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A) and possibly that of other cargoes. The export signal in eIF‐5A appears to be complex and to involve the hypusine modification that is unique to eIF‐5A. We discuss possible cellular roles for nuclear export of eIF‐5A.

Mtr10p functions as a nuclear import receptor for the mRNA‐binding protein Npl3p

MTR10, previously shown to be involved in mRNA export, was found in a synthetic lethal relationship with nucleoporin NUP85. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged Mtr10p localizes preferentially inside the nucleus, but a nuclear pore and cytoplasmic distribution is also evident. Purified Mtr10p forms a complex with Npl3p, an RNA‐binding protein that shuttles in and out of the nucleus. In mtr10 mutants, nuclear uptake of Npl3p is strongly impaired at the restrictive temperature, while import of a classic nuclear localization signal (NLS)‐containing protein is not. Accordingly, the NLS within Npl3p is extended and consists of the RGG box plus a short and non‐repetitive C‐terminal tail. Mtr10p interacts in vitro with Gsp1p‐GTP, but with low affinity. Interestingly, Npl3p dissociates from Mtr10p only by incubation with Ran‐GTP plus RNA. This suggests that Npl3p follows a distinct nuclear import pathway and that intranuclear release from its specific import receptor Mtr10p requires the cooperative action of both Ran‐GTP and newly synthesized mRNA.

Cse1p Is Involved in Export of Yeast Importin α from the Nucleus

ABSTRACT Proteins bearing a nuclear localization signal (NLS) are targeted to the nucleus by the heterodimeric transporter importin. Importin α binds to the NLS and to importin β, which carries it through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Importin disassembles in the nucleus, evidently by binding of RanGTP to importin β. The importin subunits are exported separately. We investigated the role of Cse1p, theSaccharomyces cerevisiae homologue of human CAS, in nuclear export of Srp1p (yeast importin α). Cse1p is located predominantly in the nucleus but also is present in the cytoplasm and at the NPC. We analyzed the in vivo localization of the importin subunits fused to the green fluorescent protein in wild-type and cse1-1 mutant cells. Srp1p but not importin β accumulated in nuclei ofcse1-1 mutants, which are defective in NLS import but not defective in NLS-independent import pathways. Purified Cse1p binds with high affinity to Srp1p only in the presence of RanGTP. The complex is dissociated by the cytoplasmic RanGTP-binding protein Yrb1p. Combined with the in vivo results, this suggests that a complex containing Srp1p, Cse1p, and RanGTP is exported from the nucleus and is subsequently disassembled in the cytoplasm by Yrb1p. The formation of the trimeric Srp1p-Cse1p-RanGTP complex is inhibited by NLS peptides, indicating that only NLS-free Srp1p will be exported to the cytoplasm.

RanBP3 influences interactions between CRM1 and its nuclear protein export substrates

We investigated the role of RanBP3, a nuclear member of the Ran‐binding protein 1 family, in CRM1‐mediated protein export in higher eukaryotes. RanBP3 interacts directly with CRM1 and also forms a trimeric complex with CRM1 and RanGTP. However, RanBP3 does not bind to CRM1 like an export substrate. Instead, it can stabilize CRM1–export substrate interaction. Nuclear RanBP3 stimulates CRM1‐dependent protein export in permeabilized cells. These data indicate that RanBP3 functions by a novel mechanism as a cofactor in recognition and export of certain CRM1 substrates. In vitro, RanBP3 binding to CRM1 affects the relative affinity of CRM1 for different substrates.

Combinatorial Synthesis of Peptide Arrays onto a Microchip

Arrays promise to advance biology through parallel screening for binding partners. We show the combinatorial in situ synthesis of 40,000 peptide spots per square centimeter on a microchip. Our variant Merrifield synthesis immobilizes activated amino acids as monomers within particles, which are successively attracted by electric fields generated on each pixel electrode of the chip. With all different amino acids addressed, particles are melted at once to initiate coupling. Repetitive coupling cycles should allow for the translation of whole proteomes into arrays of overlapping peptides that could be used for proteome research and antibody profiling.

Combinatorial synthesis of peptide arrays with a laser printer

however, thedecodingofpeptidebindersislaborintensive.Furthermore,problematicpeptides,forexample,hydrophobicpeptidesthatbind nonspecifically to any protein, are also synthesizedduringlibrarypreparationbythesemethods.Arrays do not have these drawbacks. The position of agivenpeptideonanarraycorrespondsdirectlytoitssequence,and problematic peptides can be omitted in subsequentarrays. Peptide arrays were first described by Frank, whosespotsynthesisdominatesthefieldbecauseofitsreliabilityandwideapplicability.