Lys-Lys-Lys

A short sequence of predominantly basic amino acids Pro-Pro-Lys-Lys-Lys-Arg-Lys-Val from SV40 Large T is responsible for the normal nuclear location of the protein. Alteration of Lys-128 to each of six different residues other than Arg renders Large T cytoplasmic, whereas single amino acid changes in the surrounding region impair but do not prevent nuclear accumulation. When transposed to the amino terminus of cytoplasmic Large T species, or Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase or of chicken muscle pyruvate kinase, the sequence around Lys-128 of Large T is able to direct the recipient protein to the nucleus. This demonstrates that these amino acids can be sufficient for nuclear location and can act as a nuclear location signal. A computer search of over 2500 proteins reveals that some other nuclear proteins (for example, BK virus Large T, SV40 VP2 and adenovirus 72kDa DNA binding protein) contain very similar basic tracts, but so too do some presumed non-nuclear proteins (for example, poliovirus VP3). We suggest that the related sequence acts as the nuclear location signal in the other nuclear proteins but that the sequence does not function in all cases, perhaps because it is not accessible. A similar, but shorter or less basic sequence, was detected in a number of other nuclear proteins, for example, polyoma virus Large T, SV40 VP1 and several histones. However, such sequences were also found in many other proteins. Perhaps the shorter basic sequences can also act as nuclear location signals, but to be functional they need to be exposed (for example, at the amino terminus of the protein as in SV40 VP1) or to be present in multiple copies.

Studies on the polymorphisms of Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D (XPD) have shown inconclusive trends in the risk of bladder cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of XPD single nucleotide polymorphisms in bladder cancer susceptibility. We performed a meta-analysis on all available studies, which included 5,368 and 6,683 XPD Lys(751)Gln cases and controls and 3,220 and 4,391 Asp(312)Asn cases and controls, respectively. Overall, Significant risk effects of Lys(751)Gln genotype was found under recessive model contrast [Gln/Gln vs. (Gln/Lys + Lys/Lys)] [P = 0.04, OR = 1.12; 95% CI (1.01, 1.26)], and subtle but insignificantly increased risks between Lys(751)Gln and bladder cancer were observed under allele contrast (Gln vs. Lys) and homologous contrast (Gln/Gln vs. Lys/Lys) in all subjects. The (751)Gln allele had no significant effect on bladder cancer in all subgroups (Asian, Caucasian and USA). Significant risk effects of Asp(312)Asn polymorphism on bladder susceptibility were observed in all subjects under all genetic contrasts, however, stratified analyses showed that the (312)Asn allele showed different risk effects in USA and Caucasian. The Gln/Gln genotype acts as a risk factor in its association with bladder cancer, and the effect of Lys(751)Gln polymorphism on bladder susceptibility should be studied with larger, stratified population; the (312)Asn allele has an important role in the etiology of bladder cancer whereas the ethnic background should be carefully concerned in further studies.