Recombinant Proteins
Product List
KPNA2 Human
Karyopherin Alpha 2 Human Recombinant
KPNA2 is fused to a 24 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
KPNB1 Human
Karyopherin Beta 1 Human Recombinant
KPNB1 is fused to a 23 amino acid His-tag at N-terminus & purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Introduction
Karyopherins are a family of proteins involved in the transport of molecules between the cytoplasm and the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. This transport occurs through nuclear pores, which act as gateways into and out of the nucleus . Karyopherins are classified into two main types: importins and exportins. Importins facilitate the import of proteins into the nucleus, while exportins mediate the export of proteins out of the nucleus .
Key Biological Properties: Karyopherins are essential for maintaining cellular function by regulating the transport of proteins and RNA across the nuclear envelope . They are involved in processes such as transcription regulation and DNA repair .
Expression Patterns and Tissue Distribution: Karyopherins are ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotic cells, with specific family members showing varied expression patterns across different tissues. For example, importin beta is widely expressed and plays a crucial role in nuclear import .
Primary Biological Functions: The primary function of karyopherins is to mediate nucleocytoplasmic transport. They recognize and bind to cargo proteins with nuclear localization signals (NLS) or nuclear export signals (NES), facilitating their transport through the nuclear pore complex .
Role in Immune Responses and Pathogen Recognition: Karyopherins are involved in the immune response by regulating the transport of transcription factors and other proteins essential for immune function. They also play a role in pathogen recognition by transporting viral proteins into the nucleus, where they can be detected and responded to by the host cell .
Mechanisms with Other Molecules and Cells: Karyopherins interact with their cargo proteins through specific recognition sequences (NLS or NES). The transport process is regulated by the small GTPase Ran, which controls the directionality of transport .
Binding Partners and Downstream Signaling Cascades: Karyopherins bind to various cargo proteins, including transcription factors, RNA-binding proteins, and other regulatory molecules. Once inside the nucleus, these cargo proteins can initiate downstream signaling cascades that regulate gene expression and other cellular processes .
Transcriptional Regulation: The expression of karyopherins is regulated at the transcriptional level by various transcription factors that respond to cellular signals and environmental cues .
Post-Translational Modifications: Karyopherins undergo post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination, which can affect their activity and stability. These modifications are crucial for the dynamic regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport .
Biomedical Research: Karyopherins are studied extensively in biomedical research for their role in cellular transport and regulation. They are used as models to understand the mechanisms of nucleocytoplasmic transport and its dysregulation in diseases .
Diagnostic Tools: Karyopherins can serve as biomarkers for certain diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, where their expression or function is altered .
Therapeutic Strategies: Targeting karyopherin-mediated transport pathways is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating diseases. Inhibitors of specific karyopherins are being developed to modulate their activity and restore normal cellular function .
Development: Karyopherins play a critical role in development by regulating the transport of proteins essential for cell differentiation and growth .
Aging and Disease: The function of karyopherins can be affected by aging, leading to altered nucleocytoplasmic transport and contributing to age-related diseases. Dysregulation of karyopherin function is also linked to various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders .
