Transport
In and Out of the Cell Nucleus
The focus of my laboratory is the elucidation
of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the bidirectional movement
of macromolecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. A variety
of substrates are actively (and specifically) transported between
these two compartments. Nuclear proteins containing nuclear localization
sequences are actively imported as are several of the UsnRNPs. Exported
substrates include mRNA, tRNA, and ribosomal subunits as well as a
group of proteins that constitutively shuttle into and out of the
nucleus. Nucleocytoplasmic exchange is restricted to nuclear pore
complexes which are large and complex structures that bridge the double
membrane of the nuclear envelope to form aqueous channels linking
the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm. Our work centers on characterizing
the targeting signals of the various transport substrates, identifying
the cellular machinery that is responsible for signal recognition
and movement of the substrate, and in vitro reconstitution of the
transport reactions.
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