Karyopherin, a cytosolic and heterodimeric protein complex consisting of alpha and beta subunits, is responsible for targeting proteins with nuclear localization signals to the nuclear pore complex (NPC) by an energy requiring, Ran-dependent mechanism. The alpha subunit and imported substrate enter the nucleus and accumulate in the nucleoplasm, while the beta subunit accumulates at the NPC. KPNA7 is most closely related to KPNA2, but unlike KPNA2, KPNA7 primarily localizes to the nucleus. It has been suggested that KPNA7 may play a role in the transport of essential nuclear proteins required for early embryogenesis.Synonyms: Importin alpha 8, Importin subunit alpha-8, Karyopherin alpha 7, Karyopherin subunit alpha-7