The nuclear lamina and its proposed roles in tumorigenesis: projection on the hematologic malignancies and future targeted therapy

J Struct Biol. 2006 Aug;155(2):351-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2006.02.016. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Abstract

The nuclear lamina, a network of lamin filaments and lamin-associated proteins, is located between the inner nuclear membrane and the peripheral chromatin. The nuclear lamina is involved in numerous nuclear functions including maintaining nuclear shape, determining nuclear positioning, organizing chromatin and regulating the cell cycle, DNA replication, transcription, cell differentiation, apoptosis, and aging. Alterations in the composition of nuclear lamins and their associated proteins are currently emerging as an additional event involved in malignant transformation, tumor propagation and progression, thus identifying potential novel targets for future anti-cancer therapy. Here, we review the current knowledge on lamin expression patterns in cells of hematologic malignancies and give an overview on the roles of the nuclear lamina proteins in heterochromatin organization, apoptosis, and aging with special emphasis on the relevance in cancer development.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Lamins / genetics
  • Lamins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Nuclear Lamina / genetics
  • Nuclear Lamina / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Lamina / physiology

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Lamins