Role of lamins in 3D genome organization and global gene expression

Genome-wide mapping of lamin-B1-genome interactions has shown that gene-poor and transcriptionally inactive genomic regions are associated with the nuclear lamina. Numerous studies have suggested that lamins, the major structural components of the nuclear lamina, play a role in global chromatin organization and gene expression. How lamins could influence the 3D genome organization and transcription from the nuclear periphery has, however, remained unclear. Our recent studies showed that lamins differentially regulate distinct lamina-associated chromatin domains (LADs) at the nuclear periphery, which can in turn influence global 3D genome organization and gene expression. In this Extra View, we discuss how by using various genomics tools, it has become possible to reveal the functions of lamins in orchestrating 3D genome organization and gene expression. Abbreviations: 3D: three dimensional; LAD: lamina-associated chromatin domain; 3C: Chromosome Conformation Capture; TAD: topologically associated domain; HiLands: Histone and lamina landscape; NL: nuclear lamina; mESC: mouse embryonic stem cell; DamID: DNA adenine methyltransferase identification.