Abstract
The importin α family of transport factors mediates the nuclear import of classical nuclear localization signal-containing proteins. In order to understand how multiple importin α proteins are regulated both in individual cells and in a whole organism, the three importin α (ima) genes of Caenorhabditis elegans have been identified and studied. All three IMAs are expressed in the germline; however, only IMA-3 is expressed in the soma. RNA interference (RNAi) experiments demonstrate that IMA-3 is required for the progression of meiotic prophase I during oocyte development. Loss of IMA-3 expression leads also to a disruption of the nuclear pore complex accompanied by the mis-localization of P granules. A range of defects occurring in ima-3(RNAi) F1 progeny further supports a role for IMA-3 during embryonic and larval development. The functional association of IMA-3 with distinct cellular events, its expression pattern and intracellular localization indicate that regulation of the nuclear transport machinery is involved in the control of developmental pathways.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1817-1830 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Development |
Volume | 128 |
Issue number | 10 |
State | Published - Jun 19 2001 |
Keywords
- C. elegans
- Importinα
- Nuclear transport
- Nucleoporins
- Oogenesis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology