Complex formation between Tap and p15 affects binding to FG-repeat nucleoporins and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling.

Mammalian Tap-p15 and yeast Mex67p-Mtr2p are conserved and essential mRNA export factor complexes that transport mRNPs through the nuclear pore. Here, we report that the small subunit p15 affects the binding of the large subunit Tap to repeat nucleoporins. BIAcore measurements revealed that recombinant Tap binds with high affinity (K(d) in the nm range) to repeat nucleoporins and dissociates from them very slowly.