KARYOPHERIN ALPHA Meaning and
Definition
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Karyopherin alpha, also known as importin alpha, is a protein that plays a crucial role in the process of nuclear transport within eukaryotic cells. It is a member of the karyopherin family of nuclear transport receptors.
The primary function of karyopherin alpha is to facilitate the transportation of cargoes, such as proteins or RNA molecules, between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. It acts as a mediator by recognizing and binding to the nuclear localization signals (NLS) present on the cargoes. This recognition process is highly specific, as different isoforms of karyopherin alpha interact with different types of NLS motifs.
Once bound to the cargo, karyopherin alpha forms a complex with another protein, karyopherin beta, to enable translocation through the nuclear pore complex. The karyopherin alpha-beta complex interacts with nucleoporins, which are proteins that form the nuclear pore complex, enabling the passage of the cargo into or out of the nucleus.
In addition to its role in nuclear transport, karyopherin alpha has been implicated in various other cellular functions, including regulation of gene expression, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. It also participates in transporting viral proteins into the nucleus during viral infection.
Overall, karyopherin alpha is a critical protein involved in coordinating the import and export of molecules between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, ensuring the proper functioning of cellular processes.
Common Misspellings for KARYOPHERIN ALPHA
- jaryopherin alpha
- maryopherin alpha
- laryopherin alpha
- oaryopherin alpha
- iaryopherin alpha
- kzryopherin alpha
- ksryopherin alpha
- kwryopherin alpha
- kqryopherin alpha
- kaeyopherin alpha
- kadyopherin alpha
- kafyopherin alpha
- katyopherin alpha
- ka5yopherin alpha
- ka4yopherin alpha
- kartopherin alpha
- kargopherin alpha
- karhopherin alpha
- karuopherin alpha
- kar7opherin alpha
Etymology of KARYOPHERIN ALPHA
The word "Karyopherin alpha" has its etymology rooted in Greek.
- "Karyon" (κάρυον) means "nut" or "kernel" in Greek.
- "Pherein" (φέρειν) means "to carry" in Greek.
- "Alpha" (α) is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and is used to denote the first or primary member of a series.
Therefore, "Karyopherin alpha" can be translated to "nucleus carrier alpha" or "kernel carrier alpha". This term refers to a specific group of proteins involved in the transport of molecules into and out of the cell nucleus.
