Linkage of lamins to fidelity of gene transcription.
Two major events are emerging as being involved in the fine regulatory mechanisms that control gene expression through the nuclear envelope/lamina. The first is the linkage of envelope proteins to transcription factors, most of which function as transcriptional repressors. The second is the interplay between nuclear lamina/nuclear envelope proteins and chromatin, through more or less direct interactions with DNA-binding proteins. The first mechanism appears to play a major role in tissue-specific functions, whereas the latter mechanism likely modifies higher-order chromatin organization, thus regulating differentiation and aging. This review highlights the importance of the study of a group of genetic diseases, collectively referred to as laminopathies, to understand the actual role played by lamins in ensuring the fidelity of gene expression and in modulating cell differentiation.
ITOI-Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Unit of Bologna, Via di Barbiano 1/10, c /o IOR-40136, Bologna, Italy. maraldi@area.bo.cnr.it
Nadir M
NM
Maraldi
Giovanna
G
Lattanzi
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D034882:Lamins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009685:Nuclear Envelope / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D034882:Lamins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins