Coilin and Cajal bodies

Abstract

The nucleus of higher eukaryotes contains a number of structures that concentrate specific biomolecules and play distinct roles in nuclear metabolism. In recent years, the molecular mechanisms controlling their formation have been intensively studied. In this brief review, I focus on coilin and Cajal bodies. Coilin is a key scaffolding protein of Cajal bodies that is evolutionarily conserved in metazoans. Cajal bodies are thought to be one of the archetypal nuclear structures involved in the metabolism of several short non-coding nuclear RNAs. Yet surprisingly little is known about the structure and function of coilin, and a comprehensive model to explain the origin of Cajal bodies is also lacking. Here, I summarize recent results on Cajal bodies and coilin and discuss them in the context of the last three decades of research in this field.

Nuclear bodies: a gene expression collection for our time

“…David Staněk [ 6 ] has provided a comprehensive and insightful account of Cajal bodies, both as to the early eras and current trends. His mastery of the subject is evident and allows one to form a picture of this organelle that expands the key issue of inter-nuclear body traffic.…”