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Oligomerization Dynamics of Cell Surface Receptors in Living Cells by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy Combined with Number and Brightness Analysis
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Oligomerization Dynamics of Cell Surface Receptors in Living Cells by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy Combined with Number and Brightness Analysis

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Nuclear translocation of cell-surface receptors: lessons from fibroblast growth factor

David M Bryant1, Jennifer L Stow

  • 1Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.

Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark)
|September 6, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Growth factors and cytokine ligands are found in the nucleus, suggesting novel nuclear functions. This review explores cell surface to nucleus trafficking pathways, focusing on fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Nuclear localization of growth factors, cytokine ligands, and receptors is increasingly recognized.
  • Examples include fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor, and growth hormone families.
  • These proteins exhibit emerging nuclear functions and interact with nuclear import machinery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review membrane-trafficking machinery and pathways involved in cell surface to nucleus transport.
  • To highlight unanswered questions regarding this cellular process.
  • To focus on the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family as a model system.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on nuclear localization of signaling proteins.
  • Analysis of membrane-trafficking mechanisms.
  • Focus on fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports nuclear functions for growth factors and ligands.
  • Nuclear import machinery plays a role in this trafficking.
  • The FGF family offers key insights into this phenomenon.

Conclusions:

  • The nuclear import of signaling proteins is a significant biological event.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and functions.
  • FGF signaling pathways are crucial for understanding cell surface to nucleus transport.

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