Background

The import of proteins into the nucleus is a process that involves at least 2 steps. The first is an energy-independent docking of the protein to the nuclear envelope and the second is an energy-dependent translocation through the nuclear pore complex. Imported proteins require a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) which generally consists of a short region of basic amino acids or 2 such regions spaced about 10 amino acids apart. Proteins involved in the first step of nuclear import have been identified in different systems. These include the Xenopus protein importin and its yeast homolog, SRP1 (a suppressor of certain temperature-sensitive mutations of RNA polymerase I in Saccharomyces cerevisiae), which bind to the NLS. KPNA2 protein interacts with the NLSs of DNA helicase Q1 and SV40 T antigen and may be involved in the nuclear transport of proteins. KPNA2 also may play a role in V(D)J recombination. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.

Images

	Western blotting analysis using anti-karyopherin subunit alpha 2 antibody (Cat#61142). Total cell lysates (30 μg) from various cell lines were loaded and separated by SDS-PAGE. The blot was incubated with anti-karyopherin subunit alpha 2 antibody (Cat#61142, 1:5,000) and HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody (Cat#201, 1:20,000) respectively. Image was developed using NaQ™ ECL Substrate Kit (Cat#716).
	Western blotting analysis using anti-karyopherin subunit alpha 2 antibody (Cat#61142). Karyopherin subunit alpha 2 expression in wild type (WT) and karyopherin subunit alpha 2 (KPNA2) shRNA knockdown (KD) HeLa cells with 20 μg of total cell lysates. Hsp90 α serves as a loading control. The blot was incubated with anti-karyopherin subunit alpha 2 antibody (Cat#61142, 1:5,000) and HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody (Cat#201, 1:20,000) respectively. Image was developed using NaQ™ ECL Substrate Kit (Cat#716).
	Flow cytometric analysis of karyopherin subunit alpha 2 expression in HepG2 cells using karyopherin subunit alpha 2 antibody (Cat#61142, 1:2,000). Green, isotype control; red, karyopherin subunit alpha 2.
	Immunocytochemical staining of HepG2 cells with anti-karyopherin subunit alpha 2 antibody (Cat#61142, 1:1,000). Nuclei were stained blue with DAPI; Karyopherin subunit alpha 2 was stained magenta with Alexa Fluor® 647. Images were taken using Leica stellaris 5. Protein abundance based on laser Intensity and smart gain: Medium. Scale bar: 20 μm.

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