One is called Ran, and functions in nucleocytoplasmic transport. The others are Cdc42 and TC10, which function in cell motility, cytokinesis and cell polarity establishment. Research opportunities are currently available in the lab for technicians, graduate students and postdocs to work on either nuclear transport or cell polarity. Top of Page Figure 1. The Ran GTPase and nuclear transport One of our research goals is to understand the role of the Ran GTPase and its binding partners in nuclear protein transport.
Nuclear transport is an essential function of all eukaryotic cells.
The nucleotide exchange factor for Ran is called RCC1. It is localized to the nucleus and binds chromatin. We are currently studying the functions of a number of different Ran binding proteins that are involved in nuclear transport., and have cloned several new transport receptors for which we are seeking cargo proteins. Top of Page Figure 2. Par6 is an adaptor that couples Cdc42 to Par3 and atypical protein kinase C isoforms.