The Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton Complex in Higher Plants

Abstract

The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex provides a multi‐functional bridge across the nuclear envelope, connecting nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton. This article considers the evidence for a LINC complex in higher plants and describes its key components, their functions, and interactions. Evidence is presented that the complex is based on two families of Sad1/UNC84 homology (SUN) domain proteins in the inner nuclear envelope (C‐ter SUNs and mid‐SUNs) and three major groups of Klarsicht/ANC‐1/Syne homology (KASH) domain proteins, WPP‐domain‐interacting proteins (WIPs), SUN‐interacting nuclear envelope proteins (SINEs), and Toll Interleukin Receptor domain KASH protein (TIK). Recent advances in analyzing the function of the complex in establishing nuclear shape and size, nuclear movement, and connecting nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton are described, together with its role in mitosis and meiosis.

Maize (Zea mays L.) Nucleoskeletal Proteins Regulate Nuclear Envelope Remodeling and Function in Stomatal Complex Development and Pollen Viability

“…The INM houses the Sad1/UNC84 homology (SUN) domain proteins and the ONM houses the Klarsicht/ANC-1/Syne homology (KASH) proteins ( Hagan and Yanagida, 1995 ; Malone et al, 1999 ; Starr, 2002 ; Murphy et al, 2010 ). As a group, the KASH proteins are numerous and diverse, reflecting their various cytoplasmic binding partners, such as cytoskeletal and motor proteins ( Starr and Fridolfsson, 2010 ; Luxton and Starr, 2014 ; Kim et al, 2015 ; Evans and Graumann, 2018 ; Starr, 2019 ). In contrast, the SUN-domain proteins are less diverse but still exhibit interactions with multiple components of the nucleoplasm, such as nucleoskeletal components and chromatin proteins ( Haque et al, 2006 ; Janin et al, 2017 ).…”

The nuclear envelope in higher plant mitosis and meiosis

“…The higher plant LINC complex has recently been extensively reviewed [1,4] and therefore a brief summary will be presented here. Arabidopsis thaliana contains two SUN domain proteins in which the domain is C-terminal (C-SUNs) allowing SUN domain:KASH domain interaction, and three mid-SUNs (in most species [5]; in which the SUN domain is at a central position).…”

“…Many of the other protein constituents of the NE involved in linking the NE and nucleoskeleton are not present in plants [1,4,43]. The lamin B receptor which is an inner NE membrane-intrinsic protein that binds to B-type lamins is absent as are proteins of the LEM domain family (LAP2, Emerin, Man1) that bind to chromatin through association with Barrier to Autointegration Factor (BAF).…”

Maize (Zea mays L.) nucleoskeletal proteins regulate nuclear envelope remodeling and function in stomatal complex development and pollen viability

“…The INM houses the Sad1/UNC84 homology (SUN) domain proteins and the ONM houses the Klarsicht/ANC-1/Syne homology (KASH) proteins (Hagan and Yanagida 1995;Malone et al 1999;Starr 2002;Murphy et al 2010). As a group, the KASH proteins are numerous and diverse, reflecting their various cytoplasmic binding partners, such as cytoskeletal and motor proteins (Starr and Fridolfsson 2010;Luxton and Starr 2014;Kim et al 2015;Evans and Graumann 2018;Starr 2019). In contrast, the SUN-domain proteins are less diverse but still exhibit interactions with multiple components of the nucleoplasm, such as nucleoskeletal components and chromatin proteins (Haque et al 2006;Janin et al 2017).…”