LINC complex

The LINC complex (Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) is a protein complex associated with both inner and outer membranes of the nucleus. It is composed of SUN-domain proteins and KASH-domain proteins. The SUN-domain proteins are associated with both nuclear lamins and chromatin and cross the inner nuclear membrane. They interact with the KASH domain proteins in the perinuclear (lumen) space between the two membranes. The KASH domain proteins cross the outer nuclear membrane and interact with actin filaments, microtubule filaments (through dynein and kinesin motors), intermediate filaments (through spectrin), centrosomes and cytoplasmic organelles. The number of SUN-domain and KASH-domain proteins increased in evolution.^[1]

Function

The function of the LINC complex appears to be in many cell activities. These include nuclear relocation/movement, moving meiotic chromosomes to find their homologues at leptotene/zygotene, attaching the centrosome to the outer nuclear membrane, formation of the nuclear pore complex, and responding to extracellular mechanical stimuli.^[2] LINC complex, by virtue of providing internal cell connectivity, is required for sensing of various mechanical stimuli including high frequency vibrations.^[3]

References

^ Crisp M, Liu Q, Roux K, Rattner JB, Shanahan C, Burke B, Stahl PD, Hodzic D (January 2006). "Coupling of the nucleus and cytoplasm: role of the LINC complex". The Journal of Cell Biology. 172 (1): 41–53. doi:10.1083/jcb.200509124. PMC 2063530. PMID 16380439.
^ Tapley EC, Starr DA (February 2013). "Connecting the nucleus to the cytoskeleton by SUN-KASH bridges across the nuclear envelope". Current Opinion in Cell Biology. 25 (1): 57–62. doi:10.1016/j.ceb.2012.10.014. PMC 3578026. PMID 23149102.
^ Uzer G, Thompson WR, Sen B, Xie Z, Yen SS, Miller S, Bas G, Styner M, Rubin CT, Judex S, Burridge K, Rubin J (June 2015). "Cell Mechanosensitivity to Extremely Low-Magnitude Signals Is Enabled by a LINCed Nucleus". Stem Cells. 33 (6): 2063–76. doi:10.1002/stem.2004. PMC 4458857. PMID 25787126.

[1] Crisp M, Liu Q, Roux K, Rattner JB, Shanahan C, Burke B, Stahl PD, Hodzic D (January 2006). "Coupling of the nucleus and cytoplasm: role of the LINC complex". The Journal of Cell Biology. 172 (1): 41–53. doi:10.1083/jcb.200509124. PMC 2063530. PMID 16380439.

[2] Tapley EC, Starr DA (February 2013). "Connecting the nucleus to the cytoskeleton by SUN-KASH bridges across the nuclear envelope". Current Opinion in Cell Biology. 25 (1): 57–62. doi:10.1016/j.ceb.2012.10.014. PMC 3578026. PMID 23149102.

[3] Uzer G, Thompson WR, Sen B, Xie Z, Yen SS, Miller S, Bas G, Styner M, Rubin CT, Judex S, Burridge K, Rubin J (June 2015). "Cell Mechanosensitivity to Extremely Low-Magnitude Signals Is Enabled by a LINCed Nucleus". Stem Cells. 33 (6): 2063–76. doi:10.1002/stem.2004. PMC 4458857. PMID 25787126.

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