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LEMD3 gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/lemd3/

LEMD3 gene

LEM domain containing 3

Normal Function

The LEMD3 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is located in a cell structure called the nuclear envelope. The nuclear envelope surrounds the nucleus, acting as a barrier between the nucleus and the rest of the cell.

The LEMD3 protein helps control two chemical signaling pathways called the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway and the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) pathway. The TGF-β and BMP pathways regulate various cellular processes, including cell growth and division (proliferation), the process by which cells mature to carry out special functions (differentiation), and the self-destruction of cells (apoptosis). These pathways are also involved in the growth of new bone.

Signaling through the BMP and TGF-β pathways turns on (activates) proteins called Smads, which attach (bind) to specific areas of DNA to activate certain genes. The LEMD3 protein interacts with Smads to reduce signaling through these pathways. In this way, the LEMD3 protein helps keep signaling at normal levels within the cell.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome

At least 23 mutations in the LEMD3 gene have been found to cause Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder. (Connective tissues provide support, strength, and flexibility to organs and tissues throughout the body.) The condition is characterized by skin growths called connective tissue nevi and bone abnormalities, most commonly osteopoikilosis. Osteopoikilosis refers to small, round areas of increased bone density that can be seen on x-rays. Rarely, people with Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome have another bone abnormality called melorheostosis, which is characterized by excess bone growth on the surface of existing bones in a pattern resembling dripping candle wax.

Each of the known LEMD3 gene mutations prevents the production of functional LEMD3 protein from one copy of the gene in each cell, which reduces the total amount of LEMD3 protein by about half. A shortage of this protein increases signaling through the BMP and TGF-β pathways. Studies suggest that the enhanced signaling increases the formation of bone tissue, resulting in areas of overly dense bone or excess bone growth. It is unclear how the increased signaling is related to the development of connective tissue nevi in people with Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome.

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

LEMD3 gene mutations have also been found in people with isolated osteopoikilosis, a condition involving areas of increased bone density without the other features of Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome (described above). Occasionally, mutations in this gene cause osteopoikilosis and melorheostosis without connective tissue nevi. (Studies suggest that LEMD3 gene mutations do not cause melorheostosis when this bone abnormality occurs alone.)

Researchers are working to understand why LEMD3 gene mutations cause Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome in some people and isolated osteopoikilosis or osteopoikilosis with melorheostosis in others. In some cases, the same mutation has been found to cause all of these conditions in different members of a single family. Each of the known mutations reduces the amount of functional LEMD3 protein that is produced in cells, which abnormally enhances BMP and TGF-β signaling and leads to areas of increased bone density and excess bone growth.

Other Names for This Gene

  • inner nuclear membrane protein Man1
  • integral inner nuclear membrane protein
  • LEM domain-containing protein 3
  • MAN1
  • MAN1_HUMAN

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Burger B, Hershkovitz D, Indelman M, Kovac M, Galambos J, Haeusermann P, Sprecher E, Itin PH. Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome in a three-generation family: influence of a novel LEMD3 mutation to tropoelastin expression. Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Nov-Dec;20(6):693-7. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2010.1051. Epub 2010 Aug 24. Citation on PubMed
  • Couto AR, Bruges-Armas J, Peach CA, Chapman K, Brown MA, Wordsworth BP, Zhang Y. A novel LEMD3 mutation common to patients with osteopoikilosis with and without melorheostosis. Calcif Tissue Int. 2007 Aug;81(2):81-4. doi: 10.1007/s00223-007-9043-z. Epub 2007 Jul 11. Citation on PubMed
  • Hellemans J, Preobrazhenska O, Willaert A, Debeer P, Verdonk PC, Costa T, Janssens K, Menten B, Van Roy N, Vermeulen SJ, Savarirayan R, Van Hul W, Vanhoenacker F, Huylebroeck D, De Paepe A, Naeyaert JM, Vandesompele J, Speleman F, Verschueren K, Coucke PJ, Mortier GR. Loss-of-function mutations in LEMD3 result in osteopoikilosis, Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome and melorheostosis. Nat Genet. 2004 Nov;36(11):1213-8. doi: 10.1038/ng1453. Epub 2004 Oct 17. Citation on PubMed
  • Lin F, Blake DL, Callebaut I, Skerjanc IS, Holmer L, McBurney MW, Paulin-Levasseur M, Worman HJ. MAN1, an inner nuclear membrane protein that shares the LEM domain with lamina-associated polypeptide 2 and emerin. J Biol Chem. 2000 Feb 18;275(7):4840-7. doi: 10.1074/jbc.275.7.4840. Citation on PubMed
  • Lin F, Morrison JM, Wu W, Worman HJ. MAN1, an integral protein of the inner nuclear membrane, binds Smad2 and Smad3 and antagonizes transforming growth factor-beta signaling. Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Feb 1;14(3):437-45. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddi040. Epub 2004 Dec 15. Citation on PubMed
  • Mumm S, Wenkert D, Zhang X, McAlister WH, Mier RJ, Whyte MP. Deactivating germline mutations in LEMD3 cause osteopoikilosis and Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome, but not sporadic melorheostosis. J Bone Miner Res. 2007 Feb;22(2):243-50. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.061102. Citation on PubMed
  • Zhang Y, Castori M, Ferranti G, Paradisi M, Wordsworth BP. Novel and recurrent germline LEMD3 mutations causing Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome and osteopoikilosis but not isolated melorheostosis. Clin Genet. 2009 Jun;75(6):556-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01177.x. Epub 2009 May 5. Citation on PubMed

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