Nuclear Localization Signals in p170, the Large Subunit of Translation Initiation Factor 3

Apart from their role in translation, eukaryotic translation factors or their individual subunits may perform other functions, in particular, regulating nuclear processes. Primary structure analysis revealed four potential nuclear localization signals (NLS) in the human eIF3 large subunit, p170. NLS were tested for ability to direct p170 into the nucleus. For this purpose, cDNAs coding for p170 fragments fused with the green fluorescent protein were expressed in CV-1 and Cos-1 cultured monkey cells. The location of the expression product was studied by fluorescence microscopy. At least two of the four putative bipartite NLS proved to direct the corresponding p170 fragments into the nucleus. Larger p170 fragments with the same NLS were retained in the cytoplasm. It was assumed that, with the help of some specific factors or after limited proteolysis, p170 enters the nucleus and participates in regulating genome expression. Alternatively, the cytoplasmic function of p170 might be regulated via a reversible binding of integrins to NLS.