Karyopherin alpha 2

Importin subunit alpha-2 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the KPNA2 is_associated_with::gene.

The import of proteins into the nucleus is a process that involves at least 2 steps. The first is an energy-independent docking of the protein to the is_associated_with::nuclear envelope and the second is an energy-dependent translocation through the is_associated_with::nuclear pore complex. Imported proteins require a is_associated_with::nuclear localization sequence (NLS) which generally consists of a short region of basic amino acids or 2 such regions spaced about 10 amino acids apart. Proteins involved in the first step of nuclear import are members of the alpha is_associated_with::importin family of is_associated_with::karyopherins such as importin subunit alpha-2. These include the Xenopus protein importin and its yeast homolog, SRP1 (a suppressor of certain temperature-sensitive mutations of is_associated_with::RNA polymerase I in is_associated_with::Saccharomyces cerevisiae), which bind to the NLS. KPNA2 protein interacts with the NLSs of DNA helicase Q1 and SV40 T antigen and may be involved in the nuclear transport of proteins. KPNA2 also may play a role in is_associated_with::V(D)J recombination

Interactions
Karyopherin alpha 2 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::SGK, is_associated_with::PLAG1, is_associated_with::KPNB1,  is_associated_with::RECQL, is_associated_with::ARL4A and ITK.