Vigilin contains a functional nuclear localisation sequence and is present in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus

Vigilin is a member of the KH protein family and contains 14 tandemly arranged potential RNA-binding domains. Between KH domains 2 and 3 we have identified a nuclear localization sequence by cloning this sequence into the NH₂-terminal region of phage T7 RNA polymerase as a reporter protein and by showing its transfer into the nucleus. Furthermore we provide experimental evidence that Vigilin is present both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm in similar concentrations. These observations support the notion that Vigilin may shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm presumably in contact with RNA molecules.