GTP-binding nuclear protein Ran (RAN)

GTPase involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport, Engaging both to the import and the export from the nucleus of proteins and RNAs (PubMed:10400640, PubMed:8276887, PubMed:8896452, PubMed:8636225, PubMed:8692944, PubMed:9351834, PubMed:9428644, PubMed:9822603, PubMed:26272610).

Switches between a cytoplasmic GDP- and a nuclear GTP-bound country by nucleotide exchange and GTP hydrolysis (PubMed:7819259, PubMed:8896452, PubMed:8636225, PubMed:8692944, PubMed:9351834, PubMed:9428644, PubMed:9822603, PubMed:29040603, PubMed:11336674, PubMed:26272610).

Nuclear import receptors like importin beta bind their substrates only in the lack of GTP-bound RAN and release them upon direct interaction with GTP-bound RAN, while nitric oxide behave in the opposite manner. Thereby, RAN controls cargo loading and release by transport receptors in the proper compartment and ensures the directionality of the transport (PubMed:8896452, PubMed:9351834, PubMed:9428644).