Importin, which transports target proteins into the nucleus (PubMed:
10366588, PubMed:
10713112, PubMed:
11517331, PubMed:
12628928, PubMed:
24449914). Specifically mediates the nuclear import of splicing factor serine/arginine (SR) proteins, such as RBM4, SFRS1 and SFRS2, by recognizing phosphorylated SR domains (PubMed:
10366588, PubMed:
10713112, PubMed:
11517331, PubMed:
12628928, PubMed:
24449914). Also mediates the nuclear import of serine/arginine (SR) protein CPSF6, independently of CPSF6 phosphorylation (PubMed:
30916345, PubMed:
31465518). The nuclear import process is regulated by the small GTPase Ran that partitions between cytoplasm and nucleus in the predominantly GDP- and GTP-bound form, respectively (PubMed:
23878195, PubMed:
24449914). Importin associates with target cargo proteins in the cytoplasm, and the competitive binding of GTP-bound Ran induces the release of cargos in the nucleus (PubMed:
23878195, PubMed:
24449914).