Nuclear lamina

Confocal microscopic analysis of dermal fibroblasts in primary culture from a control (a and b) and the subject with progeria (c and d). Labelling was performed with anti-lamin A/C antibodies. Irregularly shaped nuclear envelopes are seen in many of the progeria fibroblasts.

The nuclear lamina is a dense (~30 to 100 nm thick) fibrillar network inside the nucleus of eukaryote cells. It is composed of intermediate filaments and membrane associated proteins. Besides providing mechanical support, the nuclear lamina regulates important cellular events such as DNA replication and cell division. Additionally, it participates in chromatin organization and it anchors the nuclear pore complexes embedded in the nuclear envelope.

The nuclear lamina is associated with the inner face of the inner nuclear membrane of the nuclear envelope, whereas the outer face of the outer nuclear membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum.[1] The nuclear lamina is similar in structure to the nuclear matrix, that extends throughout the nucleoplasm.

  1. ^ The Cell: A Molecular Approach, Cooper & Hausman. 5th Edition. Pg. 357