Beta-Strand-Mediated Dimeric Formation Of The Ig-Like Domains Of Human Lamin A/C And B1

Lamins are nuclear intermediate filament proteins that play an essential role in maintaining the nuclear structure by forming a 3-D meshwork. Lamins consist of the N-terminal unstructured head, the coiled coil rod domain, and the C-terminal tail, which is mostly unstructured except for the Ig-like domain. To date, the Ig-like domain has been characterized as a monomeric structure. Here, we determined the crystal structures of human lamin A/C, including the Ig-like domain and its N-and C-terminal flanking sequences. Interestingly, the structures showed a homodimer formed by beta-strand interactions between the N-and C-terminal flanking sequences. This interaction also provides a molecular implication for the creation of a 3-D meshwork between the 3.5-nm-thick filaments. Furthermore, we determined the crystal structure of the corresponding region of lamin B1. The structure showed a similar dimeric assembly, also formed by beta-strand interactions, albeit the intersubunit distance was much shorter. Since the Ig-like domain contains many genetic hotspots causing lamin-related diseases in lamin A/C, our findings will help understand the detailed assembly of lamins in a 3-D meshwork structure and laminrelated diseases at the molecular level.(c) 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc.