LMNA Gene
Pathway Diagram
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">LMNA — Lamin A/C</th>
</tr>
<tr> [@processing2016]
<td class="label">Symbol</td> [@lmna2017]
<td><strong>LMNA</strong></td> [@progerin2014]
</tr> [@lmna2017a]
<tr> [@lamin2018]
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Lamin A/C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>1q22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene</td>
<td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3999" target="_blank">3999</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td><a href="https://omim.org/entry/150330" target="_blank">150330</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl</td>
<td><a href="https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000160789" target="_blank">ENSG00000160789</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P02545" target="_blank">P02545</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Diseases</td>
<td>[Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria](/diseases/hutchinson-gilford-progeria), [Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy](/diseases/emery-dreifuss-muscular-dystrophy), [ALS](/diseases/als), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>Universal (all cell types)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/ad" style="color:#ef9a9a">AD</a>, <a href="/wiki/ali" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALI</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALS</a>, <a href="/wiki/alzheimer's-disease" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE</a>, <a href="/wiki/ami" style="color:#ef9a9a">AMI</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">510 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
LMNA — Lamin A/C
Introduction
Lmna Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
LMNA (Lamin A/C) is a gene located on chromosome 1q22 that encodes Lamin A and Lamin C, nuclear intermediate filament proteins that form the nuclear lamina. The LMNA gene is essential for nuclear structure and function, and mutations cause several rare genetic disorders including Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy Citation 1. Recent research has implicated lamin dysfunction in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including ALS and Parkinson's disease through mechanisms involving nuclear envelope abnormalities, impaired nucleocytoplasmic transport, and transcriptional dysregulation Citation 2Citation 3.
The nuclear lamina is a meshwork of intermediate filament proteins located beneath the inner nuclear membrane. Lamin A and Lamin C are alternatively spliced isoforms encoded by the LMNA gene, with Lamin A being the longer isoform (664 amino acids) and Lamin C being the shorter isoform (572 amino acids). Both proteins contain a central alpha-helical rod domain flanked by non-helical N-terminal head and C-terminal tail domains Citation 4.
Function
Nuclear Lamina Structure
Lamin A/C proteins form the nuclear lamina, a meshwork of intermediate filaments that provides structural support to the nucleus. The nuclear lamina is essential for:
- Nuclear integrity: Maintaining nuclear shape and mechanical stability
- Chromatin organization: Interacting with chromatin and nuclear pore complexes
- DNA replication and repair: Facilitating DNA repair processes at the nuclear periphery
- Gene regulation: Participating in transcriptional regulation through chromatin interactions
Post-Translational Processing
Lamin A undergoes a unique post-translational processing pathway involving:
Farnesylation of the C-terminal CAAX motif
Proteolytic cleavage by ZMPSTE24
Removal of the farnesyl group to generate mature Lamin AThis processing is crucial for proper lamin function, and defects cause progeroid syndromes Citation 5.
Tissue Expression
LMNA is expressed in virtually all somatic cell types, with highest expression in tissues undergoing mechanical stress including muscle, cardiac tissue, and [neurons](/entities/neurons). The protein localizes to the nuclear envelope where it interacts with nuclear pore complexes and chromatin Citation 6.
Disease Associations
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS)
The most common LMNA mutation (c.1824C>T, p.G608G) creates a cryptic splice site leading to a truncated form of Lamin A called progerin. Progerin accumulates in cells and causes premature aging phenotypes including cardiovascular disease, alopecia, and neurodegeneration. Progerin has been detected in brain tissue from aged individuals and may contribute to age-related cognitive decline Citation 7.
Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy
LMNA mutations cause autosomal dominant Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) characterized by:
- Muscle weakness and wasting
- Cardiac conduction defects
- Joint contractures
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Emerging evidence links LMNA to ALS pathogenesis:
- Nuclear envelope abnormalities in ALS motor neurons
- Impaired nucleocytoplasmic transport due to lamin dysfunction
- Accumulation of progerin in sporadic ALS spinal cord tissue
- LMNA mutations may modify ALS progression Citation 8
Parkinson's Disease
Studies have found:
- Altered lamin expression in PD substantia nigra neurons
- Nuclear envelope defects in PD patient-derived neurons
- Interaction between lamin dysfunction and [alpha-synuclein](/mechanisms/alpha-synuclein) pathology Citation 9
Therapeutic Implications
LMNA-related pathways are being explored as therapeutic targets:
- Farnesyltransferase inhibitors: Tested in progeria and may benefit neurodegenerative diseases
- Rapamycin/mTOR inhibition: Enhances autophagic clearance of progerin
- Gene therapy approaches: Targeting LMNA splicing to reduce progerin production
Key Publications
[Lamins in tissue homeostasis and ageing](https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm.2016.146). Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol, 2016.
[Lamin dysfunction and neurodegeneration](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2020.08.005). Trends Cell Biol, 2020.
[Nuclear envelope alterations in ALS](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2019.08.015). Neuron, 2019.
[Lamin A/C and chromatin organization](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2018.03.012). J Mol Biol, 2018.
[Progerin and cellular ageing](https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm.2016.100). Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol, 2016.
[LMNA expression in human brain](https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.24091). J Comp Neurol, 2017.
[Progerin in aged human brain](https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1419659112). PNAS, 2014.
[LMNA mutations modify ALS phenotype](https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awx037). Brain, 2017.
[Lamin dysfunction in Parkinson's disease](https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.27095). Mov Disord, 2018.
See Also
- [Proteins/LMNA Protein](/lmna-protein)
- [Diseases/ALS](/diseases/als)
- [Diseases/Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
- [Mechanisms/Protein Quality Control Pathway](/mechanisms/protein-quality-control-network))
- [Mechanisms/Nuclear Envelope Transport](/mechanisms/nuclear-envelope-transport)
External Links
- NCBI Gene: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3999](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3999)
- UniProt: [https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P02545](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P02545)
- Ensembl: [https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000160789](https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000160789)
- OMIM: [https://omim.org/entry/150330](https://omim.org/entry/150330)
Background
The study of Lmna Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
References
Unknown, Lamin A/C mutations and disease phenotypes (2010)
Unknown, Nuclear envelope alterations in ALS (2019)
Unknown, Lamin dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease (2020)
Unknown, Structure of nuclear lamins (2018)
Unknown, Processing of Lamin A and progeria (2016)
Unknown, LMNA expression in human tissues (2017)
Unknown, Progerin in aged brain (2014)
Unknown, LMNA mutations and ALS (2017)
Unknown, Lamin in Parkinson's disease (2018)Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving LMNA Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)