KARYOPHERIN BETA Meaning and
Definition
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Karyopherin beta, also known as Importin β, is a protein that has a crucial role in nucleocytoplasmic transport, which is the process by which molecules are transported between the nucleus and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. It is a member of the karyopherin family of proteins, which are responsible for the recognition and transport of cargo molecules across the nuclear envelope.
Karyopherin beta functions as an import receptor, playing a key role in the import of numerous classes of cargo molecules into the nucleus. It recognizes and binds to specific nuclear localization signals (NLS) present on the cargo proteins, enabling their transport through nuclear pores and into the nucleus. The binding of karyopherin beta with the cargo protein is facilitated by the presence of the small GTPase protein Ran.
Once inside the nucleus, karyopherin beta releases the cargo molecule by undergoing a conformational change triggered by the exchange of GDP for GTP on Ran. This allows the cargo molecule to carry out its specific function within the nucleus, such as regulation of gene expression, DNA replication, or protein synthesis.
Karyopherin beta is a highly conserved protein found in all eukaryotes, from yeast to humans. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the precise distribution of molecules between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, which is essential for proper cellular functioning. Dysfunction of karyopherin beta can lead to various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, understanding its structure and function is of utmost importance in the field of cell biology and molecular medicine.
Common Misspellings for KARYOPHERIN BETA
- jaryopherin beta
- maryopherin beta
- laryopherin beta
- oaryopherin beta
- iaryopherin beta
- kzryopherin beta
- ksryopherin beta
- kwryopherin beta
- kqryopherin beta
- kaeyopherin beta
- kadyopherin beta
- kafyopherin beta
- katyopherin beta
- ka5yopherin beta
- ka4yopherin beta
- kartopherin beta
- kargopherin beta
- karhopherin beta
- karuopherin beta
- kar7opherin beta
Etymology of KARYOPHERIN BETA
The word "Karyopherin beta" can be broken down into two parts: "karyopherin" and "beta".
1. Karyopherin: The term "karyopherin" is derived from the Greek words "karyon", meaning "nucleus", and "pherin", meaning "to carry". In molecular biology, karyopherins are a group of proteins involved in the transport of molecules across the nuclear membrane.
2. Beta: The term "beta" comes from the Greek letter β (beta), which is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. In scientific and technical contexts, "beta" is often used to indicate the second version or variant of something.
Therefore, "Karyopherin beta" refers to a specific variant or subtype of karyopherin protein, specifically the second version or type identified.
