Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Protein Sorting and Transport01:45

Overview of Protein Sorting and Transport

23.1K
Eukaryotic cells have different membrane-bound organelles with distinct protein requirements. The process by which proteins are targeted to a specific organelle is called protein sorting.
Protein sorting can be of two types: signal-based sorting and vesicle-based trafficking. In signal-based sorting, specific amino acid sequences called sorting signals target proteins to the proper location inside the cell either via gated transport or by protein translocation.  In gated transport, folded...
23.1K
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

7.1K
In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing...
7.1K
Nuclear Protein Sorting01:34

Nuclear Protein Sorting

6.5K
Nuclear protein sorting is the selective trafficking of histones, polymerases, gene regulatory proteins into the nucleus and exporting RNAs and ribosomes to the cytosol. It is a tightly controlled process that regulates gene expression within a cell.
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry nuclear localization signals or NLS recognized by import receptors in the cytosol. Similarly, proteins with nuclear export signals are recognized by export receptors. Import and export receptors are...
6.5K
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting01:45

Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting

3.4K
Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...
3.4K
Nuclear Localization Signals and Import01:46

Nuclear Localization Signals and Import

7.9K
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry short stretches of amino acid sequences called the nuclear localization signal or NLS. Classical nuclear localization signals are of two types: monopartite and bipartite NLS. Monopartite classical NLS (cNLS) consists of a single cluster of 4-8 amino acids. Bipartite cNLS consists of two clusters of  2-3 amino acids and a 9-12 residue long proline-rich linker bridging the two clusters. Signal clusters are rich in positively charged amino acids such as...
7.9K
Protein Transport to the Thylakoids01:22

Protein Transport to the Thylakoids

3.0K
Thylakoids are membrane-bound sac-like structures within the chloroplast that serve as sites for photosynthesis. Thylakoid lumen contains many electron transport proteins and is enclosed by a thylakoid membrane rich in the light-harvesting complex. Proteins targeted to the thylakoids are transported as precursors and are sorted by the general TOC/TIC import pathway. Once the precursor reaches the stroma, stromal processing peptidases remove their transit signal and expose thylakoid signal...
3.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The spatial proteome of the Plasmodium falciparum schizont illuminates the composition and evolutionary trajectories of its organelles.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Cell shapes decode molecular phenotypes in image-based spatial proteomics.

Cell systems·2026
Same author

A framework for the exploration of subcellular compartmentalization of RNA-binding proteins.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

A high-resolution spatial map of cilia-associated proteins in the human fallopian tube.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Generative machine learning unlocks the first proteome-wide image of human cells.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Technologies to measure and modulate protein subcellular localization.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2026
Same journal

Histone acetylation at the dawn of gene regulation.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2026
Same journal

Regulation and function of specialized membrane protrusions in intercellular communication.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2026
Same journal

Ancient enzymes, new biotechnology applications.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2026
Same journal

Programmable delivery of mitochondria to specific cell types.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2026
Same journal

DNA voyages through intercellular tunnels.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2026
Same journal

Tight junction structure, assembly and (dys)function.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2026
See all related articles
  1. Home
  3. Subcellular Localization As A Driver Of Protein Function.
  1. Home
  3. Subcellular Localization As A Driver Of Protein Function.

Related Experiment Video

Enriching Subcellular Proteins in Leptospira Using a Triton X-114-Based Fractionation Approach
04:25

Enriching Subcellular Proteins in Leptospira Using a Triton X-114-Based Fractionation Approach

Published on: August 8, 2025

1.3K

Subcellular localization as a driver of protein function.

Alina Sigaeva1,2, Charlotte Hutchings3, Anthony Cesnik4

  • 1Science for Life Laboratory, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|February 18, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Protein localization within cells dictates biological functions, influencing processes from cell signaling to disease. Understanding how proteins move and interact across compartments is key to cell biology and medicine.

More Related Videos

In situ Subcellular Fractionation of Adherent and Non-adherent Mammalian Cells
09:20

In situ Subcellular Fractionation of Adherent and Non-adherent Mammalian Cells

Published on: July 23, 2010

16.4K
Heterokaryon Technique for Analysis of Cell Type-specific Localization
09:31

Heterokaryon Technique for Analysis of Cell Type-specific Localization

Published on: March 11, 2011

17.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Enriching Subcellular Proteins in Leptospira Using a Triton X-114-Based Fractionation Approach
04:25

Enriching Subcellular Proteins in Leptospira Using a Triton X-114-Based Fractionation Approach

Published on: August 8, 2025

1.3K
In situ Subcellular Fractionation of Adherent and Non-adherent Mammalian Cells
09:20

In situ Subcellular Fractionation of Adherent and Non-adherent Mammalian Cells

Published on: July 23, 2010

16.4K
Heterokaryon Technique for Analysis of Cell Type-specific Localization
09:31

Heterokaryon Technique for Analysis of Cell Type-specific Localization

Published on: March 11, 2011

17.0K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Proteomics

Background:

  • Biological functions rely on the precise spatiotemporal distribution of proteins within cellular compartments.
  • Protein multilocalization, where identical protein sequences perform multiple functions (moonlighting), is critical for cellular activities like signal transduction, metabolism, and cell death.
  • The intricate relationship between protein localization and function is an underexplored area with significant biological implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms governing protein localization, including RNA transport, proteoforms, and molecular interactions.
  • To elucidate how subcellular localization controls protein function and contributes to cellular processes.
  • To highlight the role of protein mislocalization in diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on protein localization mechanisms.
  • Analysis of how subcellular localization influences protein function.
  • Discussion of technological and conceptual challenges in spatial biology and subcellular proteomics.

Main Results:

  • Protein localization is crucial for specialized cell functions like differentiation and polarization.
  • Dysregulation of protein localization is implicated in various pathologies, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and autoimmunity.
  • Understanding protein localization dynamics is vital for advancing cell biology and clinical applications.

Conclusions:

  • The dynamic nature of protein localization is fundamental to cellular function and organismal health.
  • Addressing current challenges in spatial biology and proteomics will enhance our understanding of protein localization-function relationships.
  • This knowledge has profound implications for both fundamental cell biology research and clinical applications.