Nuclear localization signal sequence is required for VACM-1/CUL5-dependent regulation of cellular growth.

VACM-1/CUL5 is a member of the cullin family of proteins involved in the E3 ligase-dependent degradation of diverse proteins that regulate cellular proliferation. The ability of VACM-1/CUL5 to inhibit cellular growth is affected by its posttranslational modifications and its localization to the nucleus. Since the mechanism of VACM-1/CUL5 translocation to the nucleus is not clear, the goal of this project was to determine the role that the putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) we identified in the VACM-1/CUL5 (PKLKRQ) plays in the cellular localization of VACM-1/CUL5 and its effect on cellular growth.