COMMENTARY The Ran decathlon: multiple roles of Ran
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Abstract:
The Ran GTPase system affects many cellular processes, including the regulation of cell cycle progression, nuclear envelope structure and function, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. The biochemical basis for the involvement of Ran in nuclear import and export has been well documented, but the direct targets of Ran in other cellular processes have not yet been identified. There is, however, mounting evidence that Ran directly affects at least some of these other cellular processes by mechanisms independent of its role in transport. In this Commentary we discuss evidence linking Ran to different aspects of cell function, and how these multiple facets of Ran’s activity may relate to each other. SUMMARYKeywords:
Ran
Small GTPase
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CDC42
Small GTPase
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Eukaryotic cell function depends on the physical separation of nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic components by the nuclear envelope (NE). Molecular communication between the two compartments involves active, signal-mediated trafficking, a function that is exclusively performed by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). The individual NPC components and the mechanisms that are involved in nuclear trafficking are well documented and have become textbook knowledge. However, in addition to their roles as nuclear gatekeepers, NPC components—nucleoporins—have been shown to have critical roles in chromatin organization and gene regulation. These findings have sparked new enthusiasm to study the roles of this multiprotein complex in nuclear organization and explore novel functions that in some cases appear to go beyond a role in transport. Here, we discuss our present view of NPC biogenesis, which is tightly linked to proper cell cycle progression and cell differentiation. In addition, we summarize new data suggesting that NPCs represent dynamic hubs for the integration of gene regulation and nuclear transport processes.
Nucleoporin
Nuclear pore
Ran
Nuclear gene
Inner membrane
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Eukaryotic cells transport a myriad of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm and have evolved a number of related biochemical pathways to achieve this, many of which have been elucidated in recent years. One central and common component to all the pathways is the NPC. NPC components appear to play vital roles in transport and the NPC is structurally dynamic, but whether its role is as a facilitator, a controller or both is yet to be decided and awaits further analysis on the role of individual components in specific pathways.
Nuclear export signal
Component (thermodynamics)
Facilitator
Envelope (radar)
Nuclear pore
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ABSTRACT The Ran GTPase system affects many cellular processes, including the regulation of cell cycle progression, nuclear envelope structure and function, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. The biochemical basis for the involvement of Ran in nuclear import and export has been well documented, but the direct targets of Ran in other cellular processes have not yet been identified. There is, however, mounting evidence that Ran directly affects at least some of these other cellular processes by mechanisms independent of its role in transport. In this Commentary we discuss evidence linking Ran to different aspects of cell function, and how these multiple facets of Ran’s activity may relate to each other.
Ran
Small GTPase
Cite
Citations (163)