 |
|
A fly lamin gene is both like and unlike human genes
June 13, 2007Mitch Dushay and colleagues at Uppsala University in Sweden announce the publication of their paper, "Characterization of lamin Mutation Phenotypes in Drosophila and Comparison to Human Laminopathies" in the June 13th issue of the online, open-access journal PLoS ONE.
Lamins are intermediate filament proteins that make up a matrix underlying the nuclear membrane. Mammals have two types of lamins; A-type lamins are expressed in differentiating cells, while B-type lamins are expressed ubiquitously. Mutations in the gene coding for human lamin A cause a range of diseases collectively called laminopathies, including forms of muscular dystrophy and premature aging diseases. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has 2 lamin genes that are expressed in A- and B-type patterns, and it has been assumed that similarly expressed lamins perform similar functions.
Yet, Dushay and his colleagues, among others, have shown that the fly lamin genes are more closely related to each other than to mammalian lamin genes. While the independent evolution of similar expression patterns must have been driven by similar vital lamin gene functions, Dushay et el. found that mutations in the ubiquitously expressed Drosophila lamin gene cause larvae to move less and show subtle muscle defects, while surviving lamin adults walk poorly and can't fly - like aged wild type flies. This suggests that lamin mutations might cause neuromuscular defects, premature aging, or both. The resemblance of Drosophila lamin phenotypes to human laminopathies provides an interesting case of gene expression and function diverging through evolution, and promises greater insight into lamin function, and possibly into laminopathic diseases and aging.
Public Library of Science
Public Library of Science
Lamin Current Events and Lamin News RSSScientists deconstruct cell division
The last step of the cell cycle is the brief but spectacularly dynamic and complicated mitosis phase, which leads to the duplication of one mother cell into two daughter cells. In mitosis, the chromosomes condense and the nucleus breaks down.
Turning down gene expression promotes nerve cell maintenance
Anyone with a sweet tooth knows that too much of a good thing can lead to negative consequences. The same can be said about the signals that help maintain nerve cells, as demonstrated in a new study of myelin, a protein key to efficient neuronal transmission.
Lamin B locks up Oct-1
A large fraction of the transcription factor Oct-1 is associated with the inner nuclear envelope, but how and why it is retained there was unknown.
Lamin A/C deficiency is 'unnerving'
Mutations in the nuclear intermediate filament lamin A/C (LMNA) gene are associated with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, but cause the disease by unknown mechanisms. Méjat et al. show that one mechanism involves the disruption of neuromuscular junctions.
Bowel cancer indicator should lead to better treatment
STEM cell scientists have developed a more accurate way of identifying aggressive forms of bowel cancer, which should eventually lead to better treatment and survival rates.
Stem cell indicator for bowel cancer should lead to better survival rates
Stem cell scientists have developed a more accurate way of identifying aggressive forms of bowel cancer, which should eventually lead to better treatment and survival rates. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK.
Study finds HIV protease inhibitor drugs may adversely affect the scaffolding of the cell nucleus
UCLA scientists, along with collaborators from Purdue University, have demonstrated that HIV protease inhibitors - crucial drugs for HIV treatment - block a cellular enzyme important for generating the structural scaffolding for the cell nucleus.
New clues for treatment of disease that causes accelerated aging
There is renewed hope for treatment of a rare genetic condition that causes rapidly accelerated aging and leads to an average life expectancy of 13 years.
Genetics of muscular dystophy
Various forms of human muscular dystrophy result from mutations in genes encoding proteins of the nuclear envelope. A new paper in the February 15th issue of G&D reveals how.
Zeroing in on progeria: How mutant lamins cause premature aging
Children diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) race through life against an unfairly fast clock. Cases are extremely rare-one in 8 million births-but time plays cruel tricks on HGPS newborns.
More Lamin Current Events and Lamin News Articles
 |
Dodge Neon 2002 - 2005 Clear Headlight Protection Kit by Rvinyl.com Inc Rshield Paint Protection Film are uncut sheet or rolls of protection film. These sheets can be applied to car, truck or SUV bumpers, hoods, fenders, pillars, trunks and roofs. Protect your vehicle from road debris, insects, weather elements and sand. |
 |
Letters From the Trenches: A Soldier of the Great War by Bill Lamin (Author) The youngest of four children, Harry Lamin was born in Derbyshire in 1877 and left school at the age of 13 to work in the lace industry. In December 1916 he was conscripted into the 9th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, an infantry unit with which he served in France and Italy until more than a year after the war had ended. On the Western Front he took part in the Battle of the Messines Ridge in June 1917, and then in the costly, long-drawn-out agony of the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Ypres), in which he was wounded. Harry’s battalion was later ordered to Italy as part of an Anglo-French force sent to shore up the Italian Army. Seeing action on the Piave front, the 9th York and Lancasters served in Italy until Austria sued for an armistice after... |
 |
Tarps 1824 Anchor 11016 18' X 24' Poly Tarp Woven Lamin (1 EA) by Tarps Tarps 1824 Anchor 11016 18' X 24' Poly Tarp Woven Lamin (1 EA) |
|
|
Tarps 0812 Anchor 11022 8x 12' Polyethylene Tarp Woven Lamin (1 EA) by Tarps Tarps 0812 Anchor 11022 8x 12' Polyethylene Tarp Woven Lamin (1 EA) |
 |
Florida Marlins AllStar Watch - Womens Steel Band by Logo Art This luxurious wristwatch features a brushed chrome finish, brass case with gold tone accents on a rotating bezel, raised luminous hour marks, date window and mineral glass crystal. Both mens and womens watches are water resistant to 100 feet, use a Quartz movement, feature tin gift box packaging, and carry a 2-year manufacturer's warranty on watch and battery. Strap choices: two-tone stainless steel bracelet, coordinating leather (black or brown depending on the team). |
 |
Ariftu Albi Lamin Najwa Karam (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Florida Marlins AllStar Watch - Womens Leather Band by Logo Art This luxurious wristwatch features a brushed chrome finish, brass case with gold tone accents on a rotating bezel, raised luminous hour marks, date window and mineral glass crystal. Both mens and womens watches are water resistant to 100 feet, use a Quartz movement, feature tin gift box packaging, and carry a 2-year manufacturer's warranty on watch and battery. Strap choices: two-tone stainless steel bracelet, coordinating leather (black or brown depending on the team). |
 |
SciEd Living Sands Poster; Lamin by Neo/Sci Corporation Living Sands Poster |
 |
Royal Machines PL2112 Laminator Laminates up to 12-Inch Wide using Hot Roller Technology - No Carrier Sheet Required by Royal Royal Machines PL2112 Laminator Laminates up to 12" Wide using Hot Roller Technology No Carrier Sheet Required |
 |
Long Way Down: Complete TV Series Starring: Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, David Alexanian, Russ Malkin, James Simak Directed By: David Alexanian;Russ Malkin Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman return for another unforgettable adventure. Facing a brand new set of challenges the intrepid pair discover spectacular but unforgiving terrain, rich cultures and unforgettable local characters. They travel from John O'Groats to Cape Town descending through Western Europe and Africa before arriving at the southern most tip of the continent. On their incredible journey their endurance, biking skills, and friendship are tested to the limit. They are partnered along the way by friends and director/producers David Alexanian and Russ Malkin who were responsible for organizing the expedition and filming the documentary. This 3 disc special edition contains the entire extended 10 part TV series of Long Way Down with an additional 2 hours of episode footage. It... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |