Importin subunit alpha-7 (KPNA6) (KPNA6)

Importin subunit alpha-7 (KPNA6) is a member of the karyopherin alpha family that functions as an adapter protein in the classical nuclear import pathway [1]. It recognizes and binds to proteins containing a nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the cytoplasm and forms a heterodimer with importin beta-1 to facilitate transport through the nuclear pore complex [1, 2]. KPNA6 is critically involved in the life cycle of several viruses; for instance, it is essential for the nuclear import of the Influenza A virus polymerase subunit PB2, which is a prerequisite for viral replication [2, 3]. Additionally, KPNA6 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma, where its overexpression promotes cell proliferation and migration by facilitating the nuclear entry of oncogenic factors [4, 5]. Therapeutic targeting of KPNA6 is being explored primarily through small molecules like ivermectin, which inhibits the importin alpha/beta-1 mediated transport of viral and cellular proteins [6, 7]. Sources: [1] UniProt (P52295); [2] Gabriel, G., et al. (2011) Nat Commun; [3] Wang, W., et al. (2017) J Virol; [4] Sun, J., et al. (2021) Front Oncol; [5] Geng, J., et al. (2021) J Exp Clin Cancer Res; [6] Caly, L., et al. (2020) Antiviral Res; [7] Jans, D. A., & Wagstaff, K. M. (2020) Biochem J.

Other names

Karyopherin subunit alpha 6Importin alpha 7IPOA7KPNA7

Inhibition of the nuclear import of cargo proteins by disrupting the interaction between the importin alpha subunit and the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of the cargo or the importin beta-1 adapter.