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Neurofibromin is actively transported to the nucleus
Author(s) -
Vandenbroucke Ina,
Van Oostveldt Patrick,
Coene Elisabeth,
De Paepe Anne,
Messiaen Ludwine
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(04)00078-x
Subject(s) - neurofibromin 1 , nuclear localization sequence , nls , exon , suppressor , nucleus , cytoplasm , biology , fusion protein , subcellular localization , neurofibromatosis , nuclear transport , mutation , green fluorescent protein , microbiology and biotechnology , tumor suppressor gene , cell nucleus , gene , genetics , carcinogenesis , recombinant dna
Mutations in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) tumor suppressor gene predispose individuals to a variety of benign and malignant tumors. Many tumor suppressors ‘shuttle’ between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, thus regulating their function. By expressing different NF1 constructs in COS‐7 cells (encompassing exons 28–49 and fused to the green fluorescent protein), we identified a functional nuclear localization signal (NLS) in exon 43. Mutation of the NLS completely abolishes the nuclear entry of the NF1‐derivative fusion protein. A highly expressed splice variant that lacks this NLS controls the localization and hence the function of neurofibromin. The localization of neurofibromin in the nucleus may provide novel clues to unknown functions for NF1 .