A short amino acid sequence able to specify nuclear location

Kalderon et al. (1984). Cell DOI: 10.1016/0092-8674(84)90457-4 Citations: 2590

Parts used

SV40 NLS

Key findings

  • Identified the minimal peptide sequence (PKKKRKV) from SV40 Large T antigen sufficient to direct proteins to the nucleus. Demonstrated that this short sequence functions as a transferable nuclear localization signal (NLS) when fused to non-nuclear proteins. Foundational paper for all NLS-tagged constructs.