Crystal structure of progeria mutant S143F lamin A/C reveals increased hydrophobicity driving nuclear deformation.
Ahn, J., Jeong, S., Kang, S.M., Jo, I., Park, B.J., Ha, N.C.(2022) Commun Biol 5: 267-267
- PubMed: 35338226 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03212-3
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
7D9N - PubMed Abstract: 
Lamins are intermediate filaments that form a 3-D meshwork in the periphery of the nuclear envelope. The recent crystal structure of a long fragment of human lamin A/C visualized the tetrameric assembly unit of the central rod domain as a polymerization intermediate. A genetic mutation of S143F caused a phenotype characterized by both progeria and muscular dystrophy. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of the lamin A/C fragment harboring the S143F mutation. The obtained structure revealed the X-shaped interaction between the tetrameric units in the crystals, potentiated by the hydrophobic interactions of the mutated Phe143 residues. Subsequent studies indicated that the X-shaped interaction between the filaments plays a crucial role in disrupting the normal lamin meshwork. Our findings suggest the assembly mechanism of the 3-D meshwork and further provide a molecular framework for understanding the aging process by nuclear deformation.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Center for Food and Bioconvergence, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.