The transport of molecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells is mediated by the nuclear pore complex (NPC), which consists of 60-100 proteins. Small molecules (up to 70 kD) can pass through the nuclear pore by nonselective diffusion while larger molecules are transported by a
n active process. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the importin alpha family, and is involved in nuclear protein import. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2009]