Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of the Ecdysteroid Receptor. Interaction with Transport Proteins, Energy Requirement, and Influence of the Cell Cycle

Intracellular transport of proteins to specific cell compartments is essential for organization and functioning of all living organisms. In this context, alterations in the cytoplasm-nucleus shuttling of specific nuclear receptors may influence transcriptional activity and cell proliferation, and thereby contribute to diseases, such as cancer. The author analyses the intracellular distribution of ecdysteroid receptor, which is known to mediate the action of ecdysone, a critical hormone in moulting and development of insects and crustaceans. Modern methods in molecular biology are being applied to investigate the action of transport proteins (karyopherins), energy requirement and additional factors, such as influence of cell cycle on the protein localization. Components of nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery in mammalian and insect cell lines are being discussed. The understanding of ecdysteroid receptor basic functions is essential for its application as natural insecticide or molecular switch in gene therapy. The book is aimed at biologists, biology students as well as everyone who is interested in up-to-date molecular research.