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Ran on tracks--cytoplasmic roles for a nuclear regulator
Dmitry Yudin1, Mike Fainzilber
1Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel.
Journal of Cell Science
|February 20, 2009
Summary
The GTPase Ran protein regulates transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm and is involved in cell division. Recent studies reveal its new roles in cytoplasmic events, including nerve cell function and injury response.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The GTPase Ran is essential for nucleocytoplasmic transport and spindle organization during mitosis.
- Emerging evidence links Ran to diverse cytoplasmic functions, including receptor trafficking, neurite outgrowth, and axonal signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the expanding roles of the GTPase Ran beyond its canonical functions.
- To investigate the spatial regulation of Ran activity in the cytoplasm.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent reports on Ran GTPase functions.
- Analysis of findings implicating Ran in cytoplasmic events and cytoskeletal dynamics.
Main Results:
- Ran is implicated in trafficking, neurite outgrowth, and retrograde signaling in nerve axons.
- Local translation of RanBP1 may regulate Ran's guanine-nucleotide state in axons.
- RanBP10 acts as a cytoplasmic guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (RanGEF) for Ran in megakaryocytes.
Conclusions:
- The Ran GTPase system spatially regulates importin-dependent transport and signaling in the distal cytoplasm.
- Ran also regulates cytoskeletal dynamics at sites distant from the nucleus.
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