title: The structure and function of nuclear lamins: implications for disease.
abstract: The nuclear lamins polymerize to form the nuclear lamina, a fibrous structure found on the inner face of the nuclear membrane. The lamins also appear to form structures within the nucleoplasm. These various lamin structures help to establish and maintain the shape and strength of the interphase nucleus, but recent work also suggests that the lamins have a role in nuclear processes such as DNA replication. Furthermore, mutations in the human lamin A/C gene have recently been linked to several diseases, including Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. This review discusses the nature of these mutations and the possible effects of lamin mutations on nuclear function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. r-moir@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Moir
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Spann
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D034904:Lamin Type A; D034882:Lamins; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D009154:Mutation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D034904:Lamin Type A; D034882:Lamins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms