Protein transport into the nucleus

Abstract

The nucleus is partitioned from the cytoplasm in a eukaryotic cell by the double membrane of the nuclear envelope. The envelope is perforated by pores that regulate the nuclear transport of macromolecules. Nuclear proteins, after synthesis in the cytoplasm, must subsequently enter the nucleus. Several studies have established that these proteins contain highly basic nuclear localization signal sequences, which target them through the nuclear pores. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that nuclear import of proteins critical for embryonic development, cell division and differentiation can be regulated in novel ways.