Lamins and Laminopathies

Dear Colleagues,

More then 20 years ago, the interest in lamins increased significantly within the scientific community with the discovery that mutations in the gene encoding A-type lamins (LMNA) could lead to human diseases. Up to now there have been reports of nearly 500 distinct mutations in LMNA, associated with over 10 distinct human diseases, which are now generally termed laminopathies and range from muscular dystrophies, cardiomyopathies and lipodystrophies to premature aging diseases, such as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Nuclear lamins are type V intermediate filament (IF) proteins and the main constituents of the nuclear lamina, a filamentous meshwork underlying the inner nuclear membrane and anchoring chromatin to the nuclear envelope (NE). Beside their structural role determining nuclear shape and stability, lamins are involved in various essential cellular functions, such as gene expression, chromatin organization, DNA replication and repair, cell proliferation and differentiation, and mechanosensing. This Topical Collection gives the opportunity to publish original research, as well as review articles, in an Open Access format in the exciting and still growing field of nuclear lamins and laminopathies. We aim to become a platform for lamin researchers and to build a comprehensive collection of articles covering the various aspects of lamins. Therefore we welcome contributions ranging from the molecular structure and properties of lamins, their involvement in specific cellular processes up to the molecular mechanisms underlying the distinct laminopathies in humans and mouse models.

Dr. Thomas Dechat
Collection Editor

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