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Gene expression

An importin-α stress response

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 12, page 693 (2011)Cite this article

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Nuclear import is facilitated by carrier proteins of the importin family, with importin-α acting as an adaptor that mediates the association of cargo with importin β1. In response to stress, importin-α rapidly accumulates in the nucleus, and Yoneda and colleagues have found that it has a direct role in regulating gene expression here. They show that nuclear importin α2 alters the transcription of a specific set of mRNAs, including Ser/Thr kinase 35 (STK35), and that it directly associates with the STK35 promoter region. Moreover, nuclear accumulation of importin α2 in response to oxidative stress also correlates with the induction of caspase-independent cell death. As increased levels of STK35 also trigger this pathway, this supports a model in which nuclear accumulation of importin-α in response to stress promotes STK35-mediated non-apoptotic cell death.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Yasuda, Y. et al. Nuclear retention of importin α coordinates cell fate through changes in gene expression. EMBO J. 30 Sep 2011 (doi:10.1038/emboj.2011.360)

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  1. Alison Schuldt
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Schuldt, A. An importin-α stress response. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 12, 693 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3221

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