Fluorescence-based quantification of nucleocytoplasmic transport

The sequestration of DNA within the membrane-bound nucleus is a defining characteristic of eukaryotic cells. Replication and transcription are therefore restricted to the nucleus, however, the regulation of these events relies on cytoplasmic processes including protein synthesis and signal transduction pathways. Because a variety of cellular activities depend on nuclear transport, researchers from diverse fields have found it useful to examine the nuclear localization of proteins of interest. Here we present some important technical considerations for studying nuclear and cytoplasmic localization, and provide guidance for quantifying protein levels using fluorescence microscopy and ImageJ software. We include discussion of the use of regions of interest and image segmentation for quantification of protein localization. Nucleocytoplasmic transport is fundamentally important for controlling protein levels and activity in the nucleus or cytoplasm, and quantitative analysis can provide insight into how biological output is achieved.