Differential Expression of Lamins and Modulation of Chromatin Architecture in Carcinogenesis: tous pour un et un pour...

Lamins are intermediate filament proteins of the nucleus that are present in nuclear lamina as well as nucleoplasm. They play diverse roles in maintaining the structure and rigidity of the nucleus as well as nuclear homeostasis. Lamins are of two main types-A and B. B-type lamins are expressed from the embryonic stage, whereas A-type lamins are expressed during cell differentiation. Both A- and B-type lamins form distinct but interacting networks that contribute to differential chromosome tethering and distribution within the nucleus. A- and B-type lamins maintain the euchromatin-to-heterochromatin ratio in health and disease. Interestingly, lamin A/B itself varies largely and distinctly in different types of cancer. Likewise, the lamina-associated domains of the chromatin network get significantly altered in the process of carcinogenesis. We have discussed here the differential expression of lamin proteins in different cancers, contributing to distinct genome organization, ultimately precipitating into diverse neoplastic transformation.