Abstract

The nuclear import of proteins through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) illustrates how a complex biological function can be generated by a spatially and temporally organized cycle of interactions between cargoes, carriers and the Ran GTPase. Recent work has given considerable insight into this process, especially about how interactions are coordinated and the basis for the molecular recognition that underlies the process. Although considerable progress has been made in identifying and characterizing the molecular interactions in the soluble phase that drive the nuclear protein import cycle, understanding the precise mechanism of translocation through NPCs remains a major challenge.

Author affiliations

1. MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, UK.
   Email: ms@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

Published online 7 February 2007

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.