Do lamin B1 and lamin B2 have redundant functions?

Nucleus. 2014 Jul-Aug;5(4):287-92. doi: 10.4161/nucl.29615.

Abstract

Lamins B1 and B2 have a high degree of sequence similarity and are widely expressed from the earliest stages of development. Studies of Lmnb1 and Lmnb2 knockout mice revealed that both of the B-type lamins are crucial for neuronal migration in the developing brain. These observations naturally posed the question of whether the two B-type lamins might play redundant functions in the development of the brain. To explore that issue, Lee and coworkers generated "reciprocal knock-in mice" (knock-in mice that produce lamin B1 from the Lmnb2 locus and knock-in mice that produce lamin B2 from the Lmnb1 locus). Both lines of knock-in mice manifested neurodevelopmental abnormalities similar to those in conventional knockout mice, indicating that lamins B1 and B2 have unique functions and that increased production of one B-type lamin cannot compensate for the loss of the other.

Keywords: lamin B1; lamin B2; nuclear envelope; nuclear lamina.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Lamin Type B / genetics
  • Lamin Type B / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nuclear Envelope / metabolism
  • Nuclear Lamina / metabolism

Substances

  • Lamin Type B