Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR.

Via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Napoli

2015 IBP Seminar Series

CNR Conference Room

Tuesday, October 6th, 2015 at 12:00

Prof. Brian Burke

Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore

"The nuclear envelope and LINCs to human disease"

Host: Dr Alberto Luini

Tel. 081-6132535; e-mail: a.luini@ibp.cnr.it

The nuclear envelope (NE) forms the interface between the nucleus and cytoplasm, and as such determines the biochemical identities of both compartments. While it is well established that the NE plays an essential role in defining global nuclear architecture, it has only recently become apparent that it has a similar role in cytoplasmic organization. This notion is reflected in the fact that nuclear structures are mechanically coupled to elements of the cytoskeleton. This coupling is mediated to a large extent by LINC complexes (LInker of the Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) composed of KASH-domain proteins of the outer nuclear membrane (ONM) and SUN domain proteins of the inner nuclear membrane (INM). LINC complexes are now known to have roles in a number of processes, including nuclear migration and anchoring in multiple cell types. This has been highlighted by findings that several human diseases, such as muscular dystrophy and cerebellar ataxia, are associated with defects in LINC complex components. In this talk Prof Burke will describe how different LINC complex isofoms can play essential roles in both nuclear positioning and anchoring as well as in global nuclear organization and remodeling during differentiation. Prof Burke will provide examples of how LINC complex dysfunction in humans can result in phenotypes as diverse as hearing loss and infertility.

Dr Maria Rosaria Coscia & Stefania Mariggiò
Seminar Coordinators
Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR
Via P. Castellino, 111
80131 Naples Italy
Tel 0039 081 6132556/545