Importazole is primarily used in biological research as a selective inhibitor of nuclear import. It specifically targets the importin-β family of transport receptors, which are crucial for the transport of proteins into the nucleus. Researchers utilize importazole to study the mechanisms of nuclear transport and to investigate the roles of specific nuclear proteins in cellular processes. By blocking nuclear import, importazole helps in understanding the effects of protein mislocalization on cell function and signaling pathways. It is also employed in studies related to cell cycle regulation, gene expression, and the development of potential therapeutic strategies targeting nuclear transport in diseases such as cancer.