Importin 13 has different binding modes for cargo proteins.
A, HeLa cells were transfected with plasmids coding for GFP-tagged known importin 13 cargoes (Ubc9, Mago and eIF1A) or HA-tagged importin 13 cargo candidates (LPIN1, NELFCD, NSUN2) and FLAG-tagged wildtype (wt) or mutant importin 13 (mt1: E436R/D481R, mt2: E426R, mt3: K802E/R803E) or an empty vector (-FLAG-Imp13). Expressed proteins were detected by indirect immunofluorescence using anti-HA antibodies or directly via the GFP-tag. Scale bars, 20 μm. See supplemental Fig. S4 for DAPI staining and FLAG-Imp13 co-transfection. B, Dot plot of the log2-ratios of nuclear and cytoplasmic intensities of importin 13 cargo candidates with average values (green bars) and standard deviation (error bars). The number below each dot plot corresponds to the number of cells analyzed. Data were scored from a minimum of three independent experiments. ***, p value < 0.001.