biology

Importin subunit alpha-3

Importin subunit alpha-3 is a biology topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Importin subunit alpha-3 rather than just read about it. In short: Importin subunit alpha-3, also known as karyopherin subunit alpha-4, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KPNA4 gene. Function The nuclear import of karyophilic proteins is directed by short amino acid sequences termed nuclear localization signals (NLSs).

Key takeaways

Importin subunit alpha-3 belongs to biology; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Importin subunit alpha-3 to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Importin subunit alpha-3 from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Importin subunit alpha-3, also known as karyopherin subunit alpha-4, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KPNA4 gene.

Function The nuclear import of karyophilic proteins is directed by short amino acid sequences termed nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Karyopherins, or importins, are cytoplasmic proteins that recognize NLSs and dock NLS-containing proteins to the nuclear pore complex. The protein encoded by this gene shares the sequence similarity with Xenopus importin-alpha and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Srp1. This protein is found to interact with the NLSs of DNA helicase Q1 and SV40 T antigen.

Interactions KPNA4 has been shown to interact with RECQL and STAT3.

References

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Importin subunit alpha-3

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Importin subunit alpha-3 claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In biology, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Importin subunit alpha-3 before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Importin subunit alpha-3 ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Importin subunit alpha-3

In research: Importin subunit alpha-3 appears in biology research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Importin subunit alpha-3 in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Importin subunit alpha-3 is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Armadillo-repeat-containing proteins, Genes on human chromosome 3, Human chromosome 3 gene stubs, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Importin subunit alpha-3 outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

Ask Teacher Smith questions about this articleOpens your AI tutor with a question about “Importin subunit alpha-3” →

Affiliate

Preply — study more efficiently by working with a personal tutor. 50% off.

How to study Importin subunit alpha-3 in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Importin subunit alpha-3 means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Importin subunit alpha-3 out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Importin subunit alpha-3 in simple terms?

Importin subunit alpha-3, also known as karyopherin subunit alpha-4, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KPNA4 gene. Function The nuclear import of karyophilic proteins is directed by short amino acid sequences termed nuclear localization signals (NLSs).

Why does Importin subunit alpha-3 matter?

Because it connects several biology ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Importin subunit alpha-3?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Importin subunit alpha-3.