Lamins as structural nuclear elements through evolution

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2023 Dec:85:102267. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102267. Epub 2023 Oct 21.

Abstract

Lamins are nuclear intermediate filament proteins with important, well-established roles in humans and other vertebrates. Lamins interact with DNA and numerous proteins at the nuclear envelope to determine the mechanical properties of the nucleus, coordinate chromatin organization, and modulate gene expression. Many of these functions are conserved in the lamin homologs found in basal metazoan organisms, including Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. Lamin homologs have also been recently identified in non-metazoans, like the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, yet how these proteins compare functionally to the metazoan isoforms is only beginning to emerge. A better understanding of these distantly related lamins is not only valuable for a more complete picture of eukaryotic evolution, but may also provide new insights into the function of vertebrate lamins.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Dictyostelium* / metabolism
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism
  • Lamins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Envelope / metabolism
  • Nuclear Lamina / metabolism

Substances

  • Lamins
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins