J Sebastian Gomez-Cavazos

Publications (2)27.52 Total impact

• Article: Outfits for different occasions: tissue-specific roles of Nuclear Envelope proteins.

  J Sebastian Gomez-Cavazos, Martin W Hetzer
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  ABSTRACT: The Nuclear Envelope (NE) contains over 100 different proteins that associate with nuclear components such as chromatin, the lamina and the transcription machinery. Mutations in genes encoding NE proteins have been shown to result in tissue-specific defects and disease, suggesting cell-type specific differences in NE composition and function. Consistent with these observations, recent studies have revealed unexpected functions for numerous NE associated proteins during cell differentiation and development. Here we review the latest insights into the roles played by the NE in cell differentiation, development, disease and aging, focusing primarily on inner nuclear membrane (INM) proteins and nuclear pore components.
  Current opinion in cell biology 09/2012; · 14.15 Impact Factor
• Article: A change in nuclear pore complex composition regulates cell differentiation.

  Maximiliano A D'Angelo, J Sebastian Gomez-Cavazos, Arianna Mei, Daniel H Lackner, Martin W Hetzer
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  ABSTRACT: Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are built from ∼30 different proteins called nucleoporins or Nups. Previous studies have shown that several Nups exhibit cell-type-specific expression and that mutations in NPC components result in tissue-specific diseases. Here we show that a specific change in NPC composition is required for both myogenic and neuronal differentiation. The transmembrane nucleoporin Nup210 is absent in proliferating myoblasts and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) but becomes expressed and incorporated into NPCs during cell differentiation. Preventing Nup210 production by RNAi blocks myogenesis and the differentiation of ESCs into neuroprogenitors. We found that the addition of Nup210 to NPCs does not affect nuclear transport but is required for the induction of genes that are essential for cell differentiation. Our results identify a single change in NPC composition as an essential step in cell differentiation and establish a role for Nup210 in gene expression regulation and cell fate determination.
  Developmental cell 02/2012; 22(2):446-58. · 13.36 Impact Factor