The nuclear transportation routes of membrane-bound transcription factors

Abstract

Membrane-bound transcription factors (MTFs) are transcription factors (TFs) that are anchored in membranes in a dormant state. Activated by external or internal stimuli, MTFs are released from parent membranes and are transported to the nucleus. Existing research indicates that some plasma membrane (PM)-bound proteins and some endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-bound proteins have the ability to enter the nucleus. Upon specific signal recognition cues, some PM-bound TFs undergo proteolytic cleavage to liberate the intracellular fragments that enter the nucleus to control gene transcription. However, lipid-anchored PM-bound proteins enter the nucleus in their full length for depalmitoylation. In addition, some PM-bound TFs exist as full-length proteins in cell nucleus via trafficking to the Golgi and the ER, where membrane-releasing mechanisms rely on endocytosis. In contrast, the ER membrane-bound TFs relocate to the nucleus directly or by trafficking to the Golgi. In both of these pathways, only the fragments of the ER membrane-bound TFs transit to the nucleus. Several different nuclear trafficking modes of MTFs are summarized in this review, providing an effective supplement to the mechanisms of signal transduction and gene regulation. Moreover, targeting intracellular movement pathways of disease-associated MTFs may significantly improve the survival of patients.

Downregulation of circulating miR 802‐5p and miR 194‐5p and upregulation of brain MEF2C along breast cancer brain metastasization

“…MEF2C is known to be a transcription factor, synthetized in the cytoplasm and translocated into the nucleus after activation (Liu et al , ). Indeed, MEF2C was mostly concentrated in the cytoplasm at 3 and 7 days, while at 10 days following inoculation of malignant cells, it was homogenously expressed between the nucleus and the cytoplasm (Fig.…”

A Membrane-Bound Transcription Factor is Proteolytically Regulated by the AAA+ Protease FtsH in Staphylococcus aureus

“…In bacteria, transcription factors typically reside in the cytoplasm, where the chromosome is located. On the other hand, in eukaryotic cells, transcription factors are often found in the membranes, and the release of the transcription factors from the membranes and subsequent nuclear transport are regulated by membrane-bound proteases or proteasomes (2,3).…”

Expression of yeast homolog of the mammal BCRP gene coding for riboflavin efflux protein activates vitamin B2 production in the flavinogenic yeast Candida famata

“…The mechanism of such substantial activation of riboflavin synthesis could be interpreted in the frames of available explanations of the similar phenomena that more efficient removing the intracellular metabolite from the cell alleviates product inhibition of its synthesis and stimulates its overall production (Jones et al, 2015;Kiriyama et al, 2012 to speculate that Rfe1 affects the expression of structural genes of riboflavin synthesis by its direct interaction with target genes. Existing research indicates that some plasma membrane-bound proteins have the ability to enter the nucleus (Liu, Li, Fan, & Wu, 2018). However, Rfe1 protein contains domains common for ABC transporters and lacks the DNA-binding domains.…”