RanGTPase: A key regulator of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking

RanGTPase belongs to the Ras superfamily of small GTPases. It possesses a distinctive acidic C-terminal DEDDDL motif and predominantly localizes to the nucleus. RanGTPase is known to regulate nucleocytoplasmic trafficking as well as mitotic spindle and nuclear envelope formation. Ran-directed nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is an energy-dependent directional process that also depends on nuclear import or export signals. Ran-directed nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is also facilitated by several cellular components, including RanGTPase, karyopherins, NTF2 and nucleoporins. GTP-bound Ran is asymmetrically distributed in the nucleus, while GDP-bound Ran is predominantly cytoplasmic. Controlled by RanGEF and RanGAP, RanGTPase cycles between the GDP- and GTP-bound states enabling it to shuttle cargoes in an accurate spatial and temporal manner. RanGTPase plays a role in the nuclear import in such a way that GTP-bound Ran dissociates importin:cargo complex in the nucleus and recycles importin back to cytoplasm. Likewise, RanGTPase plays a role in the nuclear export in such a way that nuclear GTP-bound Ran triggers the aggregation of Ran:exportin:cargo trimeric complex which is then transported to cytoplasm while hydrolysis of RanGTP to RanGDP releases the export cargoes in cytoplasm. RanGTPase has been reported to be essential for cell viability and its over-expression is linked to tumorigenesis. Thus, RanGTPase plays a crucial role in regulating key cellular events and alterations in its expression may lead to cancer development and/or progression.