Abstract
The GTPase RAN, the regulators of its nucleotide-bound state, and its effectors represent a specialized network in the RAS GTPase superfamily and regulate the localization of macromolecules (RNAs and proteins) in subcellular compartments in interphase cells and at the mitotic apparatus when cells divide. Essential cell cycle processes, e.g., replication, repair, transcription, export of transcribed RNAs out of the nucleus, assembly of the mitotic apparatus, kinetochore function, chromosome segregation, nuclear reorganization, and rebuilding of the nuclear envelope and nuclear pores at mitotic exit, ultimately depend on RAN’s ability to orchestrate localization of key target factors in space and time. To achieve this, RAN network members acquire themselves dynamic localization patterns. Biochemical fractionation protocols describe where the bulk of RAN network members localize. Immunofluorescence methods have revealed more subtle and complex patterns, with specific populations of RAN network components associating with cellular structures, or organelles, where they play crucial roles as spatial regulators for a large set of macromolecules. These localization studies are important to understand RAN modes of action and to identify new targets of RAN control. Here we describe methods for the visualization of RAN network members and effectors in mammalian cells.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Dr. Pietro Cirigliano and to staff of Nikon Instruments S.p.A. (Italy) for collaborative support in implementation and development of the imaging platform at the CNR-IBPM Nikon Reference Center (National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology). Work in our laboratory is supported by grants from the Italian Association for Cancer Research (IG10164).
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Guarguaglini, G., de Turris, V., Lavia, P. (2014). Immunofluorescence Methods in Studies of the GTPase Ran and Its Effectors in Interphase and in Mitotic Cells. In: Trabalzini, L., Retta, S. (eds) Ras Signaling. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1120. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-791-4_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-791-4_16
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