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Published on: January 17, 2025
Lamin A/C and cardiac diseases
Nicolas Sylvius1, Frédérique Tesson
1University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) are linked to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Early diagnosis is challenging, but understanding nuclear architecture and transcription roles is key for cardiac disease management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Nuclear Architecture
Background:
- Lamin A/C, encoded by the LMNA gene, plays a critical role in nuclear structure and function.
- LMNA mutations are implicated in a spectrum of diseases affecting multiple tissues, including the heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent significant findings on the role of lamin A/C in cardiac diseases.
- To elucidate the connection between LMNA mutations and the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on LMNA mutations and cardiac phenotypes.
- Analysis of data from cellular and animal models investigating lamin A/C function.
- Examination of findings from patient biopsies and fibroblasts.
Main Results:
- LMNA mutations are a prevalent cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, associated with high risks of arrhythmias, sudden death, and heart failure.
- Lamins A and C are crucial for maintaining nuclear architecture and regulating transcription, though specific disease-related abnormalities are not consistently observed in patient tissues.
- Early diagnosis of LMNA-related cardiac disease remains difficult.
Conclusions:
- The cardiac manifestations of LMNA mutations are increasingly understood, but the underlying molecular mechanisms driving tissue-specific phenotypes require further investigation.
- Systematic screening for LMNA mutations and consideration of cardioverter-defibrillator implantation are recommended for patients with cardiac symptoms.
Purpose Of Review:
In this review, we will outline the most recent and significant findings on the role of the lamin A/C in cardiac diseases.
Recent Findings:
Mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) are associated with numerous diseases involving the heart, skeletal muscles, bones, adipose and nervous tissues. LMNA is one of the most prevalent genes in dilated cardiomyopathy in which it is associated with a high risk of dysrhythmias, sudden death and heart failure. Lamins A and C interact with several proteins reflecting their multiple functions, some of which are likely still unknown. No abnormalities specific to dilated cardiomyopathy are emerging from investigations of striated muscles biopsies or fibroblasts from LMNA mutation carriers. An early diagnosis of the disease is difficult. Both animal and cellular models tend to confirm that lamins A and C play a key role in maintaining the nuclear architecture as well as in regulating transcription.
Summary:
The cardiac phenotype associated to LMNA mutations is now much clearer, but the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular and tissue specific phenotypes are still puzzling. Systematic mutation screenings and cardioverter-defibrillator implantation have been recommended in patients with cardiac symptoms.
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