From transcription to transport: emerging roles for nuclear myosin I

Biochem Cell Biol. 2006 Aug;84(4):418-26. doi: 10.1139/o06-069.

Abstract

Myosins are a superfamily of actin-activated ATPases that, in the cytoplasm, work together with actin as molecular motors. The presence of actin in the nucleus has been known for many years. The demonstration of a nuclear isoform of a myosin, nuclear myosin I (NMI), stimulated a great deal of interest in possible intranuclear motor functions of an acto-NMI complex. NMI has been shown to be involved in transcription by RNA polymerases I and II. In both cases, NMI interacts with the respective polymerase and is critically involved in the basic process of transcription. A recent study on intranuclear long-range chromosome movement has now demonstrated a role for NMI in the translocation of chromosome regions as well. Moreover, this movement is based on an active and directed process that is facilitated by an acto-NMI complex, establishing for the first time a functional role for a motor complex consisting of actin and a myosin in the nucleus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Chromosomes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Myosin Type I / genetics*
  • Myosin Type I / metabolism*
  • Myosin Type I / physiology
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Polymerase I / genetics
  • RNA Polymerase II / genetics
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • RNA Polymerase I
  • Myosin Type I