The role of the nuclear envelope in cellular organization

Over the last years it has become evident that the nuclear envelope (NE) is more than a passive membrane barrier that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm. The NE not only controls the trafficking of macromolecules between the nucleoplasm and the cytosol, but also provides anchoring sites for ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2006-02, Vol.63 (3), p.316-332
Main Authors: D'Angelo, M A, Hetzer, M W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Animals
Cell differentiation
Cell division
Cell Physiological Phenomena
Cellular biology
Chromatin
Chromosomes
Cytoplasm
Cytoskeleton
Cytosol
Dystonia
Dystrophy
Eukaryotes
Evolution
Gene expression
Gene Expression Regulation
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Humans
Macromolecules
Muscular dystrophy
Mutation
Neuropathy
Nuclear Envelope - physiology
Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins
Nuclear Proteins
Progeria
Review
Signal transduction
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Summary:Over the last years it has become evident that the nuclear envelope (NE) is more than a passive membrane barrier that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm. The NE not only controls the trafficking of macromolecules between the nucleoplasm and the cytosol, but also provides anchoring sites for chromosomes and cytoskeleton to the nuclear periphery. Targeting of chromatin to the NE might actually be part of gene expression regulation in eukaryotes. Mutations in certain NE proteins are associated with a diversity of human diseases, including muscular dystrophy, neuropathy, lipodistrophy, torsion dystonia and the premature aging condition progeria. Despite the importance of the NE for cell division and differentiation, relatively little is known about its biogenesis and its role in human diseases. It is our goal to provide a comprehensive view of the NE and to discuss possible implications of NE-associated changes for gene expression, chromatin organization and signal transduction.
ISSN:1420-682X
1420-9071
DOI:10.1007/s00018-005-5361-3