Journal of Cell Science 116, e202-e202 (2003)
Copyright © 2003 The Company of Biologists Limited
Nuclear ANChors
Correct positioning of the nucleus is critical in a variety of cell types,
including nurse cells, intestinal brush-border cells, syncytia and all cells
in which nuclear migration is required during development. Microtubules play
an important part in nuclear positioning, as does the actin cytoskeleton. In a
Commentary on p.211, Daniel
Starr and Min Han discuss the importance of actin-based networks for nuclear
anchorage, focusing on the roles of a novel family of proteins termed
Syne/ANC-1. Studies in C. elegans have revealed that the UNC-84 and
ANC-1 proteins are required for nuclear anchoring in the syncytial hypodermal
cells. UNC-84 is a nuclear envelope protein, whereas ANC-1 is a huge
evolutionarily conserved actin-binding protein. ANC-1 and its relatives, the
Syne/ANC-1 family, appear to reside mainly in the cytoplasm, but they possess
a C-terminal domain that localizes to the nuclear envelope. The majority of
the protein, however, comprises repetitive stretches that could span >150
nm. Starr and Han propose that the C-terminal region is linked to UNC-84 in
the nuclear membrane and anchors the nucleus to the actin cytoskeleton through
this long, flexible domain.
Related articles in JCS:
- ANChors away: an actin based mechanism of nuclear positioning
- Daniel A. Starr and Min Han
JCS 2003 116: 211-216.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
