Biology OpenIvan Mestres et al (Technische Universität Dresden) show that the previously uncharacterised Soluble-Lamin Associated Protein (SLAP) directly influences brain development in mammals.
“Here we show that SLAP is critical to maintain nuclear integrity and that alterations in its expression influence neural stem cell fate as well as migration and molecular identity of newborn neurons.”
Manipulation of the nuclear envelope-associated protein SLAP during mammalian brain development affects cortical lamination and exploratory behavior
Summary: Far from solely providing a physical barrier separating the genome from the cytoplasm, the nuclear envelope is also instrumental in tuning the fate of neural stem cells influencing cortical lamination and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Julien Delpierre