Moleskin is the Drosophila importin-7 nuclear transport receptor. It mediates nuclear accumulation of activated ERK, phosphorylated Mad and Yorkie, and participates in snurportin-associated import of spliceosomal snRNPs, including delivery to Cajal bodies. Regulated cortical and nucleocytoplasmic distribution links signaling to tissue growth and differentiation, while its snRNP-transport role supports nuclear RNA-processing machinery.
IDA PMID:11262240 Nuclear import of activated D-ERK by DIM-7, an importin fami...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle.
Reason: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle. Direct fly studies establish nuclear localization, cytoplasmic cargo association and nuclear Cajal-body residence, independently supporting the subcellular assignments also recorded in the protein-trap survey.
Summary: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle.
Reason: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle. Direct fly studies establish nuclear localization, cytoplasmic cargo association and nuclear Cajal-body residence, independently supporting the subcellular assignments also recorded in the protein-trap survey.
Summary: The nuclear-envelope assignment represents nuclear-pore passage by an importin-family receptor.
Reason: The nuclear-envelope assignment represents nuclear-pore passage by an importin-family receptor. Direct cargo-import experiments support this conserved transport-cycle location without implying an integral membrane protein.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
HDA PMID:25294944 Subcellular localisations of the CPTI collection of YFP-tagg...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle.
Reason: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle. Direct fly studies establish nuclear localization, cytoplasmic cargo association and nuclear Cajal-body residence, independently supporting the subcellular assignments also recorded in the protein-trap survey.
IDA PMID:23885126 Identification and characterization of Drosophila Snurportin...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle.
Reason: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle. Direct fly studies establish nuclear localization, cytoplasmic cargo association and nuclear Cajal-body residence, independently supporting the subcellular assignments also recorded in the protein-trap survey.
Summary: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle.
Reason: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle. Direct fly studies establish nuclear localization, cytoplasmic cargo association and nuclear Cajal-body residence, independently supporting the subcellular assignments also recorded in the protein-trap survey.
HDA PMID:25294944 Subcellular localisations of the CPTI collection of YFP-tagg...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle.
Reason: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle. Direct fly studies establish nuclear localization, cytoplasmic cargo association and nuclear Cajal-body residence, independently supporting the subcellular assignments also recorded in the protein-trap survey.
Summary: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle.
Reason: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle. Direct fly studies establish nuclear localization, cytoplasmic cargo association and nuclear Cajal-body residence, independently supporting the subcellular assignments also recorded in the protein-trap survey.
IDA PMID:11262240 Nuclear import of activated D-ERK by DIM-7, an importin fami...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle.
Reason: Moleskin shuttles between cytoplasm and nucleus in its import cycle. Direct fly studies establish nuclear localization, cytoplasmic cargo association and nuclear Cajal-body residence, independently supporting the subcellular assignments also recorded in the protein-trap survey.
IDA PMID:11262240 Nuclear import of activated D-ERK by DIM-7, an importin fami...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin has a regulated cortical pool associated with integrin-dependent ERK import.
Reason: Moleskin has a regulated cortical pool associated with integrin-dependent ERK import. DIM-7 and integrins localize to peripheral actin-containing regions; this is a documented regulatory location rather than the primary endpoint of imported cargo.
IDA PMID:17699602 Nuclear localization of the ERK MAP kinase mediated by Droso...
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Summary: Moleskin has a regulated cortical pool associated with integrin-dependent ERK import.
Reason: Moleskin has a regulated cortical pool associated with integrin-dependent ERK import. DIM-7 and integrins localize to peripheral actin-containing regions; this is a documented regulatory location rather than the primary endpoint of imported cargo.
Summary: Moleskin is importin-7 and a receptor for nuclear import of activated D-ERK and snRNP cargo.
Reason: Moleskin is importin-7 and a receptor for nuclear import of activated D-ERK and snRNP cargo. Target mutations reduce nuclear D-ERK and wild-type Msk rescues import; independent snRNP association and cytoplasmic accumulation in mutants establish a second import pathway. Its molecular role is cargo transport across the nuclear pore.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IDA PMID:11262240 Nuclear import of activated D-ERK by DIM-7, an importin fami...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin is importin-7 and a receptor for nuclear import of activated D-ERK and snRNP cargo.
Reason: Moleskin is importin-7 and a receptor for nuclear import of activated D-ERK and snRNP cargo. Target mutations reduce nuclear D-ERK and wild-type Msk rescues import; independent snRNP association and cytoplasmic accumulation in mutants establish a second import pathway. Its molecular role is cargo transport across the nuclear pore.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IMP PMID:23885126 Identification and characterization of Drosophila Snurportin...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin is importin-7 and a receptor for nuclear import of activated D-ERK and snRNP cargo.
Reason: Moleskin is importin-7 and a receptor for nuclear import of activated D-ERK and snRNP cargo. Target mutations reduce nuclear D-ERK and wild-type Msk rescues import; independent snRNP association and cytoplasmic accumulation in mutants establish a second import pathway. Its molecular role is cargo transport across the nuclear pore.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
Summary: The intracellular protein-transport annotation is correct but broad.
Reason: The intracellular protein-transport annotation is correct but broad. Loss-and-rescue experiments establish protein import into the nucleus as the specific transport process executed by Moleskin.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IMP PMID:16308331 MAP kinase subcellular localization controls both pattern an...
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Summary: Moleskin-dependent MAPK nuclear access affects wing patterning and the differentiation/proliferation choice.
Reason: Moleskin-dependent MAPK nuclear access affects wing patterning and the differentiation/proliferation choice. The curated mutant annotations are consistent with the wing study and the independently established ERK-import mechanism; these developmental outcomes do not define a separate molecular function.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IMP PMID:16308331 MAP kinase subcellular localization controls both pattern an...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin-dependent MAPK nuclear access affects wing patterning and the differentiation/proliferation choice.
Reason: Moleskin-dependent MAPK nuclear access affects wing patterning and the differentiation/proliferation choice. The curated mutant annotations are consistent with the wing study and the independently established ERK-import mechanism; these developmental outcomes do not define a separate molecular function.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IMP PMID:16308331 MAP kinase subcellular localization controls both pattern an...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin-dependent MAPK nuclear access affects wing patterning and the differentiation/proliferation choice.
Reason: Moleskin-dependent MAPK nuclear access affects wing patterning and the differentiation/proliferation choice. The curated mutant annotations are consistent with the wing study and the independently established ERK-import mechanism; these developmental outcomes do not define a separate molecular function.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IDA PMID:23885126 Identification and characterization of Drosophila Snurportin...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin localizes to nuclear Cajal bodies and supports their organization during snRNP biogenesis.
Reason: Moleskin localizes to nuclear Cajal bodies and supports their organization during snRNP biogenesis. msk-null larvae lose coilin and SMN signals and accumulate trimethylguanosine-capped cargo in the cytoplasm, linking the phenotype to nuclear import rather than a generic nuclear-structure role.
IMP PMID:16540506 smoothened and thickveins regulate Moleskin/Importin 7-media...
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Summary: Moleskin is required for normal ommatidial rotation through regulated MAPK signaling.
Reason: Moleskin is required for normal ommatidial rotation through regulated MAPK signaling. The primary study distinguishes this phenotype from chirality and from steps where redundant transport appears sufficient.
IMP PMID:23885126 Identification and characterization of Drosophila Snurportin...
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin localizes to nuclear Cajal bodies and supports their organization during snRNP biogenesis.
Reason: Moleskin localizes to nuclear Cajal bodies and supports their organization during snRNP biogenesis. msk-null larvae lose coilin and SMN signals and accumulate trimethylguanosine-capped cargo in the cytoplasm, linking the phenotype to nuclear import rather than a generic nuclear-structure role.
IDA PMID:23885126 Identification and characterization of Drosophila Snurportin...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin physically associates with spliceosomal snRNP cargo containing the assayed U1, U2 and U4 snRNAs.
Reason: Moleskin physically associates with spliceosomal snRNP cargo containing the assayed U1, U2 and U4 snRNAs. These RNA associations support the import pathway but do not establish independent sequence-specific recognition of naked snRNA by Moleskin; the physiologically informative core is snRNP cargo import.
IDA PMID:23885126 Identification and characterization of Drosophila Snurportin...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin physically associates with spliceosomal snRNP cargo containing the assayed U1, U2 and U4 snRNAs.
Reason: Moleskin physically associates with spliceosomal snRNP cargo containing the assayed U1, U2 and U4 snRNAs. These RNA associations support the import pathway but do not establish independent sequence-specific recognition of naked snRNA by Moleskin; the physiologically informative core is snRNP cargo import.
IDA PMID:23885126 Identification and characterization of Drosophila Snurportin...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin physically associates with spliceosomal snRNP cargo containing the assayed U1, U2 and U4 snRNAs.
Reason: Moleskin physically associates with spliceosomal snRNP cargo containing the assayed U1, U2 and U4 snRNAs. These RNA associations support the import pathway but do not establish independent sequence-specific recognition of naked snRNA by Moleskin; the physiologically informative core is snRNP cargo import.
Summary: The importin-7 transport cycle uses the conserved Ran GTPase interaction for directionality and cargo release.
Reason: The importin-7 transport cycle uses the conserved Ran GTPase interaction for directionality and cargo release. Moleskin is the experimentally identified fly importin-7 and functions in nuclear import; this term captures the conserved receptor-Ran interaction, not binding to arbitrary small GTPases.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IMP PMID:16308331 MAP kinase subcellular localization controls both pattern an...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin-dependent MAPK nuclear access affects wing patterning and the differentiation/proliferation choice.
Reason: Moleskin-dependent MAPK nuclear access affects wing patterning and the differentiation/proliferation choice. The curated mutant annotations are consistent with the wing study and the independently established ERK-import mechanism; these developmental outcomes do not define a separate molecular function.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IMP PMID:17110483 A genetic screen in Drosophila for genes interacting with se...
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Summary: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors.
Reason: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors. msk mutant eyes have multiple cell-type defects, including an R8-to-R2,5 fate switch, supporting the developmental annotation set. These are phenotypic consequences of the import receptor rather than distinct biochemical activities.
IMP PMID:17110483 A genetic screen in Drosophila for genes interacting with se...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors.
Reason: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors. msk mutant eyes have multiple cell-type defects, including an R8-to-R2,5 fate switch, supporting the developmental annotation set. These are phenotypic consequences of the import receptor rather than distinct biochemical activities.
msk eyes demonstrate reductions in the number of R8 photoreceptors due to an R8 to R2,5 fate switch
GO:0043524 negative regulation of neuron apoptotic process
IMP PMID:16540506 smoothened and thickveins regulate Moleskin/Importin 7-media...
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Summary: Moleskin supports survival of developing eye cells.
Reason: Moleskin supports survival of developing eye cells. Although early larval clone-size defects are not rescued by blocking apoptosis, surviving msk-null cells die in the pupal stage with activated caspase signal; the annotation is supported in that developmental context.
IMP PMID:17110483 A genetic screen in Drosophila for genes interacting with se...
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Summary: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors.
Reason: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors. msk mutant eyes have multiple cell-type defects, including an R8-to-R2,5 fate switch, supporting the developmental annotation set. These are phenotypic consequences of the import receptor rather than distinct biochemical activities.
IDA PMID:17699602 Nuclear localization of the ERK MAP kinase mediated by Droso...
ACCEPT
Summary: Perinuclear localization is consistent with Moleskin-mediated nuclear import and its experimentally curated localization in the integrin/ERK study.
Reason: Perinuclear localization is consistent with Moleskin-mediated nuclear import and its experimentally curated localization in the integrin/ERK study. The abstract separately describes perinuclear accumulation of ERK under import blockade, so that cargo observation alone is not treated as direct imaging of Moleskin.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
IGI PMID:17110483 A genetic screen in Drosophila for genes interacting with se...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors.
Reason: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors. msk mutant eyes have multiple cell-type defects, including an R8-to-R2,5 fate switch, supporting the developmental annotation set. These are phenotypic consequences of the import receptor rather than distinct biochemical activities.
IMP PMID:17110483 A genetic screen in Drosophila for genes interacting with se...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors.
Reason: Moleskin contributes to compound-eye differentiation through nuclear transport of developmental signaling factors. msk mutant eyes have multiple cell-type defects, including an R8-to-R2,5 fate switch, supporting the developmental annotation set. These are phenotypic consequences of the import receptor rather than distinct biochemical activities.
msk eyes demonstrate reductions in the number of R8 photoreceptors due to an R8 to R2,5 fate switch
GO:0061608 nuclear import signal receptor activity
IBA GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Moleskin is importin-7 and a receptor for nuclear import of activated D-ERK and snRNP cargo.
Reason: Moleskin is importin-7 and a receptor for nuclear import of activated D-ERK and snRNP cargo. Target mutations reduce nuclear D-ERK and wild-type Msk rescues import; independent snRNP association and cytoplasmic accumulation in mutants establish a second import pathway. Its molecular role is cargo transport across the nuclear pore.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7.
These computational predictions are reviewed separately from the GOA annotation set used for this review. The assessments below are from this project and do not constitute official GO annotations or endorsement by GO/UniProt. They are not included in the existing annotation review above.
LSP — Less precise than existing annotation Review score: 2/2
Prediction method: ProtNLM2 · Version: UniProt API snapshot 2026-09-08
Review rationale: Intracellular protein transport is directly supported by the loss of activated ERK nuclear import in moleskin mutants and rescue by wild-type DIM-7. A second primary study identifies Moleskin association with snurportin/snRNP cargo and an snRNP-import defect. The existing protein import into nucleus annotation is more specific than the predicted general intracellular transport.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:11262240: "Deletion or mutation of moleskin dramatically reduces the nuclear localization of activated D-ERK. Directly linking DIM-7 to its nuclear import, this defect can be rescued by the expression of wild-type DIM-7."
PMID:23885126: "the importin-7 orthologue Moleskin (Msk) physically associates with both dSNUP and spliceosomal snRNPs and localizes to nuclear Cajal bodies."