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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Heterokaryon Technique for Analysis of Cell Type-specific Localization
Published on: March 11, 2011
The Wilms' tumour suppressor protein, WT1, undergoes CRM1-independent nucleocytoplasmic shuttling
P R Vajjhala1, E Macmillan, T Gonda
1Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia. p.vajjhala@imb.uq.edu.au
Abstract:
The Wilms' tumour suppressor gene (WT1) encodes a zinc finger-containing nuclear protein essential for kidney and urogenital development. Initially considered a transcription factor, there is mounting evidence that WT1 has a role in post-transcriptional processing. Using the interspecies heterokaryon assay, we have demonstrated that WT1 can undergo nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. We have also mapped the region responsible for nuclear export to residues 182-324. Our data add further complexity to the role of WT1 in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation.
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