Identification of a Phosphorylation-Dependent Nuclear Localization Motif in Interferon Regulatory Factor 2 Binding Protein 2
2011

How Phosphorylation Affects Nuclear Import of a Protein

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Teng Allen C. T., Al-montashiri Naif A. M., Cheng Brian L. M., Lou Philip, Ozmizrak Pinar, Chen Hsiao-Huei, Stewart Alexandre F. R.

Primary Institution: University of Ottawa

Hypothesis

Does phosphorylation control the nuclear localization of IRF2BP2 during muscle differentiation?

Conclusion

Phosphorylation of serine 360 is essential for the nuclear localization of IRF2BP2, which is important for its function in muscle differentiation.

Supporting Evidence

  • Phosphorylation of serine 360 is necessary for nuclear localization of IRF2BP2.
  • Mutations that prevent phosphorylation lead to cytoplasmic retention of IRF2BP2.
  • Phosphorylation status may control the localization of IRF2BP2 during muscle differentiation.

Takeaway

This study found that a protein called IRF2BP2 needs a special signal and a chemical change called phosphorylation to enter the nucleus of muscle cells, which helps it do its job.

Methodology

The researchers used mutagenesis and fluorescent tagging to study the nuclear localization of IRF2BP2 in muscle cells.

Limitations

The specific kinase responsible for the phosphorylation of serine 360 was not identified.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024100

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