Work

Do lamin B1 and lamin B2 have redundant functions?

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Lamins B1 and B2 have a high degree of sequence similarity and are widely expressed from the earliest stages of development. Studies of Lmnb1 and Lmnb2 knockout mice revealed that both of the B-type lamins are crucial for neuronal migration in the developing brain. These observations naturally posed the question of whether the two B-type lamins might play redundant functions in the development of the brain. To explore that issue, Lee and coworkers generated "reciprocal knock-in mice" (knock-in mice that produce lamin B1 from the Lmnb2 locus and knock-in mice that produce lamin B2 from the Lmnb1 locus). Both lines of knock-in mice manifested neurodevelopmental abnormalities similar to those in conventional knockout mice, indicating that lamins B1 and B2 have unique functions and that increased production of one B-type lamin cannot compensate for the loss of the other.

Source: Nucleus

DOI: 10.4161/nucl.29615

Authors: John M Lee, Hea-Jin Jung, Loren G Fong, Stephen G Young

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, University of California System, Institute of Molecular Biology

Language: English

Topic: Nuclear Structure and Function

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,993

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute