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A Ras subfamily GTPase shows cell cycle‐dependent nuclear localization
Author(s) -
Sutherland Brent W,
Spiegelman George B,
Weeks Gerald
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1093/embo-reports/kve222
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , cytokinesis , mitosis , biology , multinucleate , subfamily , cell nucleus , cell cycle , cell division , nuclear localization sequence , cytoplasm , cell , genetics , gene
Previously characterized Ras subfamily proteins have been found tobe predominantly associated with the plasma membrane where they function in signal transduction pathways to convey extracellular signals to intracellular targets. Here, we provide evidence that the Dictyostelium Ras subfamily protein RasB has a novel subcellular localization and function. The protein is predominantly localized in the nucleus during most of the cell cycle. Furthermore, during mitosis and cytokinesis RasB assumes a diffuse cellular localization despite the fact that the nuclear membrane stays intact. The linkage between the position of RasB in the cell and division suggests that it may have a role in nuclear division. Consistent with this idea, rasB − cells exhibit severe growth defects and cells overexpressing an activated version of RasB are multinucleate.