Nature 365, 661 - 663 (14 October 1993); doi:10.1038/365661a0

The GTP-binding protein Ran/TC4 is required for protein import into the nucleus

Mary Shannon Moore & Günter Blobel

Laboratory of Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA

TWO cytosolic fractions (A and B) fromXenopus oocytes are sufficient to support protein import into the nuclei of digitonin-permeabilized cells¹. Fraction A recognizes the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) and binds the import substrate to the nuclear envelope, whereas fraction B mediates the subsequent passage of the bound substrate into the nucleus. Here we report that two interacting components are required for full fraction-B activity, purify one of these components to homogeneity, and show that it is the highly abundant GTP-binding protein Ran (Ras-related nuclear protein)/TC4.

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