Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Oct 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Membr Biol. 2013 Mar 24;246(10):737–744. doi: 10.1007/s00232-013-9534-y

Figure 1. Protein-mediated plasmid nuclear import.

Figure 1

Transcription factors and other nuclear proteins normally enter the nucleus through the interactions between their NLSs and importin family members. However, if plasmids containing certain sequences that act as scaffolds for transcription factors and other DNA binding proteins (termed DTS, or DNA nuclear Targeting Sequences) are deposited into the cytoplasm during transfection, they can form complexes with these proteins, thereby attaching NLSs to the DNA. Some, but not all, of these NLSs may be in a conformation able to interact with importins for transport of the DNA-protein complex into the nucleus through the Nuclear Pore Complex.