The sal3(+) gene encodes an importin-beta implicated in the nuclear import of Cdc25 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the nuclear accumulation of Cdc25 peaks in G2 and is necessary for the proper timing of mitotic entry. Here, we identify the sal3(+) gene product as an importin-beta homolog that participates in the nuclear import of Cdc25. Loss of sal3(+) results in a cell cycle delay, failure to undergo G1 arrest under nitrogen-starvation conditions, and mislocalization of Cdc25 to the cytosol. Fusion of an exogenous classical nuclear localization sequence (cNLS) to Cdc25 restores its nuclear accumulation in a sal3 disruptant and suppresses the sal3 mutant phenotypes. In addition, we show that enhanced nuclear localization of Cdc25 at endogenous levels of expression advances the onset of mitosis. These results demonstrate that the nuclear translocation of Cdc25 is important for the timing of mitotic entry and that Sal3 plays an important role in this process.