A serine/threonine-rich motif is one of three nuclear localization signals that determine unidirectional transport of the mineralocorticoid receptor to the nucleus.

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a tightly regulated nuclear hormone receptor that selectively transmits corticosteroid signals. Steroid treatment transforms MR from a transcriptionally inert state, in which it is distributed equally between the nucleus and cytoplasm, to an active completely nuclear transcription factor. We report here that MR is an atypical nuclear hormone receptor that moves unidirectionally from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. We show that nuclear import of MR is controlled through three nuclear localization signals (NLSs) of distinct types. Nuclear localization of naive MR was mediated primarily through a novel serine/threonine-rich NLS (NL0) in the receptor N terminus. Specific amino acid substitutions that mimicked phosphorylation selectively enhanced or repressed NL0 activity, highlighting the potential for active regulation of this new type of NLS. The second NLS (NL2) within the ligand-binding domain also lacks a recognizable basic motif. Nuclear transfer through this signal was strictly dependent on steroid agonist, but was independent of the interaction of MR with coactivator proteins. The third MR NLS (NL1) is a bipartite basic motif localized to the C terminus of the MR DNA-binding domain with properties distinct from those of NL1 of the closely related glucocorticoid receptor. NL1 acted in concert with NL0 and NL2 to stimulate nuclear uptake of the agonist-treated receptor, but also directed the complete nuclear localization of MR in response to treatment with steroid antagonist. These results present MR as a nuclear hormone receptor whose unidirectional transfer to the nucleus may be regulated through multiple pathways.

Nuclear export of the glucocorticoid receptor is accelerated by cell fusion-dependent release of calreticulin.

Nucleocytoplasmic exchange of nuclear hormone receptors is hypothesized to allow for rapid and direct interactions with cytoplasmic signaling factors. In addition to recycling between a naïve, chaperone-associated cytoplasmic complex and a liganded chaperone-free nuclear form, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been observed to shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm. Nuclear export of GR and other nuclear receptors has been proposed to depend on direct interactions with calreticulin, which is predominantly localized to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. We show that rapid calreticulin-mediated nuclear export of GR is a specific response to transient disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum that occurs during polyethylene glycol-mediated cell fusion. Using live and digitonin-permeabilized cells we demonstrate that, in the absence of cell fusion, GR nuclear export occurs slowly over a period of many hours independent of direct interaction with calreticulin. Our findings temper expectations that nuclear receptors respond rapidly and directly to cytoplasmic signals in the absence of additional regulatory control. These results highlight the importance of verifying findings of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking using techniques in addition to heterokaryon cell fusion.