Nuclear Transport: A Switch for the Oxidative Stress—Signaling Circuit?

Figure 5

Simplified model for the crosstalk between signaling and nuclear transport in response to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress impinges on signaling molecules and the nuclear transport apparatus, with chaperones modulating both processes. Different scenarios can explain the communication between nuclear transport and signaling pathways in oxidant-treated cells. In one case, oxidative stress alters the localization and activity of transport factors. This will change the subcellular distribution of key signaling molecules, which in turn affects the modification of downstream targets. Alternatively, the signaling pathways activated by oxidative stress cause the modification and redistribution of transport factors. Both scenarios are likely to take place side-by-side, and the balance of these events will ultimately determine cell fate.