The lamin A/C Ig-fold undergoes cell density-dependent changes that alter epitope binding.

Lamins A/C are nuclear intermediate filament proteins that are involved in diverse cellular mechanical and biochemical functions. Here, we report that recognition of Lamins A/C by a commonly used antibody (JOL-2) that binds the Lamin A/C Ig-fold and other antibodies targeting similar epitopes is highly dependent on cell density, even though Lamin A/Clevels do not change. We propose that the effect is caused by partial unfolding or masking of the C'E and/or EF loops of the Ig-fold in response to cell spreading.

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome: a case report and literature review.

Background: Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is a rare genetic disorder associated with basal cell carcinomas (BCC), skeletal anomalies, and jaw cysts, and a number of ocular abnormalities. We describe a case of a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with NBCCS found to have several ophthalmic manifestations including a myelinated retinal nerve fiber. We conducted a literature review targeting the ocular and systemic manifestations of NBCCS, with a focus on the ophthalmic findings that have not been well characterized.

Mutant lamins cause nuclear envelope rupture and DNA damage in skeletal muscle cells.

Mutations in the LMNA gene, which encodes the nuclear envelope (NE) proteins lamins A/C, cause Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy and other diseases collectively known as laminopathies. The mechanisms responsible for these diseases remain incompletely understood. Using three mouse models of muscle laminopathies and muscle biopsies from individuals with LMNA-related muscular dystrophy, we found that Lmna mutations reduced nuclear stability and caused transient rupture of the NE in skeletal muscle cells, resulting in DNA damage, DNA damage response activation and reduced cell viability.