Identification of a karyopherin β1/β2 proline-tyrosine nuclear localization signal in huntingtin protein

J Biol Chem. 2012 Nov 16;287(47):39626-33. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.412379. Epub 2012 Sep 25.

Abstract

Among the known pathways of protein nuclear import, the karyopherin β2/transportin pathway is only the second to have a defined nuclear localization signal (NLS) consensus. Huntingtin, a 350-kDa protein, has defined roles in the nucleus, as well as a CRM1/exportin-dependent nuclear export signal; however, the NLS and exact pathway of import have remained elusive. Here, using a live cell assay and affinity chromatography, we show that huntingtin has a karyopherin β2-dependent proline-tyrosine (PY)-NLS in the amino terminus of the protein. This NLS comprises three consensus components: a basic charged sequence, a downstream conserved arginine, and a PY sequence. Unlike the classic PY-NLS, which has an unstructured intervening sequence between the consensus components, we show that a β sheet structured region separating the consensus elements is critical for huntingtin NLS function. The huntingtin PY-NLS is also capable of import through the importin/karyopherin β1 pathway but was not functional in all cell types tested. We propose that this huntingtin PY-NLS may comprise a new class of multiple import factor-dependent NLSs with an internal structural component that may regulate NLS activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Localization Signals / physiology*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Peptide Mapping / methods
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • beta Karyopherins / genetics*
  • beta Karyopherins / metabolism

Substances

  • HTT protein, human
  • Htt protein, mouse
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • KPNB1 protein, human
  • Kpnb1 protein, mouse
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Localization Signals
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • TNPO1 protein, human
  • beta Karyopherins