Nuclear lamins

The nuclear lamins are fiborous structural proteins found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. They carry out multiple functions involved in the structural organisation of the cell nucleous, including mechanical support of the nuclear pores, involved in molecular transport within the cell, to the organisation of chromatin, DNA replication and cell division.

Composition

The lamins are copmprised of the protein stuture called intermediate fillament. This is a fillementous strucutral protein involved in the cytoskeleton, playing roles in organelle positioning, cell shape and movement and iter and intra cellular transport. The intermediate filament is found in the cytoplasm and in the cell nucleous, mainly used for mechanical strengh. they are strong stable molecuels which are couiled in shape. They are 10nm in diameter and are a polymer structure. they are also found in keterins.

DNA replication and cell division

In DNA replication nuclear lamins are involved in stuructural support, providing a structural network

Apoptosis

The lamins alos play a part in the process of apoptosis, this is a programmed cell death and is highly regulated by cellular functions. When the process is decided at the checkpoint phases of the cell cycle that the best course of action is for the cell to be cleanly destroyed enzymes called caspases are realeased by the cell. These caspases them cleave nucelar lamins in the nucleous reducing mechanical support and aiding in degredation of the organelle .