Sandbox 122: Difference between revisions

Karyopherin beta 2 (Kapβ2) is an importin that transports various cargo proteins into the nucleus through interactions with nucleoporins, which are proteins of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). One might overlook the significance of this protein but it actually plays a crucial role in the human body by mediating transport of RNA-binding proteins involved in transcription, RNA processing, RNA transport and translation. The structure of Kapβ2 is composed of 20 antiparallel helices called HEAT repeats. These HEAT repeats contribute to Kapβ2’s large superhelical shape. The protein is shown to form two arches: one at the N-terminal and the other at the C-terminal. Through recognition of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) located on its cargo, Kapβ2 binds to its cargo via its C-terminal arch. Release of the cargo is mediated by RanGTP, which once bound, modifies the shape of Kapβ2. This slight conformational change results in the dissociation of the cargo from its binding site. The Hostos-Lincoln Academy SMART (Students Modeling a Research Topic) Team and MSOE have designed and made a physical model by three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology, revealing the cargo and RanGTP binding domains.    Supported by grants from the HHMI Pre-College Program and the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation.