Deciphering the cellular pathway for transport of poly(A)-binding protein II

• Published in: RNA (Cambridge) Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 245 - 256
• Main Authors: CALADO, ANGELO, KUTAY, ULRIKE, KÜHN, UWE, WAHLE, ELMAR, CARMO-FONSECA, MARIA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cambridge University Press 01.02.2000
• Subjects: 3T3 Cells; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Binding Sites - genetics; Biological Transport, Active; Cell Nucleus - metabolism; Cytoplasm - metabolism; DNA Primers - genetics; Green Fluorescent Proteins; HeLa Cells; Humans; Karyopherins; Luciferases - genetics; Luminescent Proteins - genetics; Mice; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Molecular Sequence Data; mRNA transport; Nuclear Proteins - metabolism; poly(A)-binding protein II; Poly(A)-Binding Proteins; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear - metabolism; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - chemistry; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA-Binding Proteins - chemistry; RNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; RNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Transfection; polyadenylation; nucleocytoplasmic transport; PABP2; transportin
• ISSN: 1355-8382; 1469-9001
• DOI: 10.1017/S1355838200991908

Poly(A)-binding protein II (PABP2) is an abundant nuclear protein that binds with high affinity to nascent poly(A) tails, stimulating their extension and controlling their length. In the cytoplasm, a distinct protein (PABP1) binds to poly(A) tails and participates in mRNA translation and stability. How cytoplasmic PABP1 substitutes for nuclear PABP2 is still unknown. Here we report that PABP2 shuttles back and forth between nucleus and cytoplasm by a carrier-mediated mechanism. A potential novel type of nuclear localization signal exists at the C-terminus of the protein, a domain that is highly enriched in methylated arginines. PABP2 binds directly to transportin in a RanGTP-sensitive manner, suggesting an involvement of this transport receptor in mediating import of the protein into the nucleus. Although PABP2 is small enough to diffuse passively through the nuclear pores, protein fusion experiments reveal the existence of a facilitated export pathway. Accordingly, no transport of PABP2 to the cytoplasm occurs at 4 °C. In contrast, export of PABP2 continues in the absence of transcription, indicating that transport to the cytoplasm is independent of mRNA traffic. Thus, rather than leaving the nucleus as a passive passenger of mRNAs, the data suggest that PABP2 interacts with the nuclear export machinery and may therefore contribute to mRNA transport.