Scientists in cell discovery

Published on 27/02/2013 12:00

A FRESH insight into the protective seal that surrounds the DNA of human cells could help develop treatments for inherited muscle, brain, bone and skin disorders.

Researchers at Edinburgh University have discovered that the proteins within this coating – known as the nuclear envelope – vary greatly between cells in different organs of the body.

This variation means that certain disease-causing proteins will interact with the proteins in the protective seal to cause illness in some organs, but not others.

Until now, scientists had thought that all proteins within the nuclear envelope were the same in every type of organ.

The finding may provide insights into a rare muscle disease, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.