This volume provides an exhaustive review of the most current knowledge of the composition, architecture and dynamics of the nuclear envelope. In contrast to other comprehensive works on cellular membranes in general, this book is the first to specifically address the nuclear envelope. Experts in the field relate the different domains of the nuclear envelope, their biogenesis, their composition, their mode of targeting to chromosomes and how they dissociate from chromosomes upon cell division. A wealth of information from several experimental systems is provided, such as dividing somatic cells, embryos and nuclear assembly assays in cell-free extracts, in a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms ranging from humans to yeast. The book also contains up-to-date reviews on the relationship between mutations in proteins of the nuclear envelope and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. The breadth of topics covered in what may seem to be a field as narrow as the nuclear envelope makes this volume a valuable reference.

Inhalt

1. Dynamics of the Vertebrate Nuclear Envelope.- Abstract.- Interphase Nuclear Envelope Structure.- Nuclear Envelope Disassembly.- Nuclear Assembly.- Concluding Remarks.- 2. Dynamics of Nuclear Envelope Proteins During the Cell Cycle in Mammalian Cells.- Abstract.- Why Should Nuclear Envelope Proteins Be Dynamic?.- What is the Nuclear Envelope Made of?.- Studying Nuclear Envelope Protein Dynamics.- Dynamics in Interphase.- Chromosomes Do not Move Much in Interphase.- Dynamics in Mitosis.- INM Proteins: Switching Retention Off and Back On.- Lamina: Tearing of a Polymer, Dispersion and Re-Import of Monomers.- Pore Complex Disassembly and Assembly: Many Open Questions.- Chromosomes: A Complex Template for Nuclear Assembly.- Concluding Remarks.- 3. Targeting and Retention of Proteins in the Inner and Pore Membranes of the Nuclear Envelope.- Abstract.- Targeting of Integral Membrane Proteins to the Inner Nuclear Membrane.- Targeting and Retention of Integral Membrane Proteins to the Pore Membrane.- Targeting of Peripheral Membrane Proteins to the Inner Nuclear Membrane.- Conclusion.- 4. Dynamic Connections of Nuclear Envelope Proteins to Chromatin and the Nuclear Matrix.- Abstract.- Major Components of the Peripheral Nuclear Lamina.- Lamina Proteins in the Nuclear Interior.- Interactions at the Interface Between the Lamina and the Nuclear Scaffold/Chromatin.- Potential Functions of Lamina Proteins in Interphase.- Dynamics and Functions of Lamina-Chromatin Interactions During Mitosis.- Conclusions and Future Prospects.- 5. Role of Ran GTPase in Nuclear Envelope Assembly.- Abstract.- Background.- Control of Nuclear Envelope Assembly by Ran.- 6. Mitotic Control of Nuclear Pore Complex Assembly.- The Nuclear Lamina.- The Inner Nuclear Membrane.- Nuclear Pore Complexes.- Dynamicsof the Nuclear Envelope During Mitosis.- Nuclear Envelope Breakdown.- Nuclear Envelope Reformation.- NPC Assembly.- When Does the NPC Become Functional?.- Summary.- 7. Structure, Function and Biogenesis of the Nuclear Envelope in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.- Overview of the Yeast NPC and its Function in Transport.- Composition and Structure-Function Relationships of the Yeast NPC.- Biogenesis of the Yeast NPCs and Their Role in the Organization of the NE.- Integral Membrane Proteins of the Yeast NE and Their Function.- 8. Nuclear Envelope Breakdown and Reassembly in C. elegans: Evolutionary Aspects of Lamina Structure and Function.- Abstract.- The Structure and Protein Composition of the Nuclear Lamina in C. elegans.- Possible Functions of the Nuclear Lamina in G elegans.- Nuclear Dynamics in G elegans During Mitosis.- 9. Nuclear Envelope Assembly in Gametes and Pronuclei.- Abstract.- Background.- Sperm Nuclear Envelope Disassembly.- Membrane Vesicle Fractions Contributing to the Nuclear Envelope.- Binding of Egg Cytoplasmic Vesicles to Sperm Chromatin and Nuclear Envelope Remnants.- Fusion of Nuclear Envelope Precursor Vesicles.- Completion of Male Pronuclear Envelope Formation.- Comparison with Other Systems and Speculations.- Issues for Future Investigation.- 10. Nuclear Envelope Dynamics in Drosophila Pronuclear Formation and in Embryos.- Drosophila Nuclear Envelopes.- Developmental Changes in Nuclear Envelopes Around the Time of Fertilization.- Conclusion.- 11. The Distribution of Emerin and Lamins in X-Linked Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy.- A Brief History of EDMD.- The Normal Distribution of Emerin and Lamins.- Distribution of Emerin and Lamins in X-Linked EDMD.- 12. Laminopathies: One Gene, Two Proteins, Five Diseases.- Abstract.- Disorders of Cardiac and/or Skeletal Muscles Linked to LMNA Alterations.- Lipodystrophies and the Familial Partial Lipodystrophy of the Dunnigan Type (FPLD).- Familial Partial Lipodystrophy of the Dunnigan Type (FPLD).- Could Some Patients with LMNA Mutations be Affected by Both Skeletal or Cardiac Muscular Symptoms and Lipodystrophy?.- Experimental Models of Lamin A/C Alterations.- Nuclear Alterations in Cells Harboring LMNA Mutations.- Conclusion.- Addendum.