title: Nuclear lamins: major factors in the structural organization and function of the nucleus and chromatin.
abstract: Over the past few years it has become evident that the intermediate filament proteins, the types A and B nuclear lamins, not only provide a structural framework for the nucleus, but are also essential for many aspects of normal nuclear function. Insights into lamin-related functions have been derived from studies of the remarkably large number of disease-causing mutations in the human lamin A gene. This review provides an up-to-date overview of the functions of nuclear lamins, emphasizing their roles in epigenetics, chromatin organization, DNA replication, transcription, and DNA repair. In addition, we discuss recent evidence supporting the importance of lamins in viral infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dechat
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pfleghaar
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sengupta
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimi
authors.forename: Dale K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Shumaker
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Solimando
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D034882:Lamins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009154:Mutation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011371:Progeria / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D034882:Lamins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins