IMPORTIN Meaning and
Definition
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Importin is a protein responsible for the transportation of molecules containing a nuclear localization signal (NLS) from the cytoplasm into the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. It is an essential component of the nuclear import machinery, facilitating the import of various proteins and RNA into the nucleus to perform vital cellular functions.
Importin acts as a receptor that recognizes and binds to cargo proteins with NLSs, enabling their translocation across the nuclear envelope. It serves as a key mediator between the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm, regulating the flow of molecules in and out of the nucleus. The interaction between importin and NLS involves a specific recognition sequence, facilitating the formation of a cargo-importin complex.
Once the importin-cargo complex reaches the nuclear pore complex, it interacts with nucleoporins to access the nuclear interior. Importin then undergoes conformational changes, allowing the release of the cargo protein inside the nucleus. Following cargo release, importin can either be recycled back to the cytoplasm or transported out of the nucleus for subsequent rounds of import.
Importin plays a crucial role in controlling gene expression, as it transports transcription factors, chromatin-associated proteins, and other key regulatory molecules into the nucleus. It also participates in nuclear import of ribosomal proteins, RNA molecules, and signaling molecules, contributing to various cellular processes such as protein synthesis, RNA processing, and signal transduction.
Overall, importin is a fundamental component of the cellular transport system that enables the selective importation of proteins and RNA molecules into the nucleus, ensuring the proper functioning and maintenance of cellular processes.
Common Misspellings for IMPORTIN
- umportin
- jmportin
- kmportin
- omportin
- 9mportin
- 8mportin
- inportin
- ikportin
- ijportin
- imoortin
- imlortin
- im-ortin
- im0ortin
- impirtin
- impkrtin
- implrtin
- impprtin
- imp0rtin
- imp9rtin
- impoetin
Etymology of IMPORTIN
The term "importin" comes from the combination of two words: "import" and "protein".
"Import" is derived from the Latin word "importare", which means "to carry in" or "bring in". It combines the prefix "im-" (meaning "in" or "into") with "portare" (meaning "to carry").
"Protein" is derived from the French word "protéine", which was coined in 1838 by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius. The term originates from the Greek word "protos", meaning "primary" or "of primary importance".
By combining "import" with "protein", the word "importin" was formed to describe a specific class of proteins that play a crucial role in the transportation of molecules, especially certain proteins, into the cell nucleus.
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