Nuclear import of the yeast AP-1-like transcription factor Yap1p is mediated by transport receptor Pse1p, and this import step is not affected by oxidative stress

J Biol Chem. 2001 Jun 15;276(24):21863-9. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M009258200. Epub 2001 Mar 23.

Abstract

The yeast AP-1-like transcription factor, Yap1p, is essential for the oxidative stress response in budding yeast. Yap1p is located predominantly in the cytoplasm; however, upon imposition of oxidative stress, Yap1p concentrates in the nucleus and activates target genes. Yap1p is constitutively transported in and out of the nucleus. Oxidative stress inhibits the Crm1p/Xpo1p-dependent nuclear export step, resulting in nuclear accumulation of Yap1p. In this study, we examined the mechanism for Yap1p nuclear import, and determined whether the import step is affected by oxidative stress. The nuclear accumulation of Yap1p required the activity of the small GTPase, Ran/Gsp1p. Under conditions in pse1-1 cells carrying a temperature-sensitive mutation of the importin beta family member PSE1/KAP121, nuclear translocation of Yap1p was inhibited dramatically. In an in vitro assay, we showed that Yap1p could directly bind to Pse1p and that this interaction was dissociated by Ran-GTP. These results indicate that Pse1p is the nuclear import receptor for Yap1p. In addition to Pse1p, we suggest that Kap123p, which is homologous to Pse1p, has a minor effect on the nuclear import of Yap1p. Furthermore, we identified the nuclear localization signal of Yap1p and demonstrated that the nuclear import of Yap1p was not affected by oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Genotype
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Protein Transport
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • ran GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • GSP1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PSE1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • YAP1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins
  • ran GTP-Binding Protein