Nuclear import of IkappaBalpha is accomplished by a ran-independent transport pathway

The inhibitor of kappa B alpha (IkappaBalpha) protein is able to shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. We have utilized a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches to provide mechanistic insight into nucleocytoplasmic shuttling by IkappaBalpha. IkappaBalpha contains multiple functional domains that contribute to shuttling of IkappaBalpha between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Nuclear import of IkappaBalpha is mediated by the central ankyrin repeat domain. Similar to previously described nuclear import pathways, nuclear import of IkappaBalpha is temperature and ATP dependent and is blocked by a dominant-negative mutant of importin beta. However, in contrast to classical nuclear import pathways, nuclear import of IkappaBalpha is independent of soluble cytosolic factors and is not blocked by the dominant-negative RanQ69L protein. Nuclear export of IkappaBalpha is mediated by an N-terminal nuclear export sequence. Nuclear export of IkappaBalpha requires the CRM1 nuclear export receptor and is blocked by the dominant-negative RanQ69L protein. Our results are consistent with a model in which nuclear import of IkappaBalpha is mediated through direct interactions with components of the nuclear pore complex, while nuclear export of IkappaBalpha is mediated via a CRM1-dependent pathway.