A role for the nuclear lamina shape in cell senescence and aging

Abstract

Proteins of the nuclear lamina defi ne the nuclear shape and determine nuclear integrity. Lamin proteins bind to intranuclear proteins and the chromatin, and play a regulatory role in a wide spectrum of nuclear functions such as chromatin organization, epigenetic transcription, replication and repair. In addition, the nuclear lamina is physically connected to the outer nuclear lamina and, therefore, to structural elements off the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane. Structural changes in the nucleus and at the plasma membrane are, therefore, possibly connected. Deformation of the nuclear lamina shape will affect chromatin architecture by binding of the nuclear lamina to the chromatin. This subsequently results in changes in nuclear and cellular functions. The shape of the nuclear lamina dramatically changes during aging and in senescence. Here we will describe how changes in the nuclear lamina can be measured and discuss implications on nuclear function.