Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The proper function of many proteins in the cell often requires targeting to particular sub-cellularcompartments. This is typically mediated via specific localization signals present within the protein itself. The transport of proteins into the cell nucleus regulates, at least in part, an extraordinarily diverse range of cellular processes including cell cycle, signal transduction, apoptosis and circadian rhythm. For this reason the identification of mechanisms regulating nuclear import is a valuable area of investigation in the field of biology. Viruses have coevolved with their hosts for eons and are often excellent tools for studying host cellular processes, including nuclear import. Indeed, the first nuclear localization signals were identified from studies of viruses and viruses have taught us much about how proteins access the nucleus. It is our objective to use human adenovirus as a tool to identify non-conventional mechanisms of nuclear import and a yeast genetic approach to identify novel mechanisms that regulate nuclear import of cellular proteins.