Molecular characterization of Xenopus lamin LIV reveals differences in the lamin composition of sperms in amphibians and mammals.

Lamins are nuclear intermediate filament proteins. They are involved in most nuclear activities and are essential for retaining the mechano-elastic properties of the nucleus. Somatic cells of vertebrates express lamins A, B1 and B2 while lamin LIII, a major component of the amphibian oocyte lamina is absent in mammals.