Active Research

Morphological abnormalities and membrane instability of the nuclear envelope in cancer and senescent cells

The nuclear envelope plays a critical role in maintaining genome stability. In cancer cells and senescent cells, however, nuclear size and morphological homeostasis are frequently disrupted, and transient nuclear envelope ruptures are commonly observed. Under normal conditions, DNA wrapped around histones cannot pass through nuclear pores into the cytoplasm. However, when the nuclear envelope temporarily ruptures during interphase, DNA becomes exposed to the cytoplasm, leading to DNA damage and activation of innate immune responses. We investigate the molecular mechanisms that maintain nuclear morphology and membrane stability. Furthermore, we study the causes and consequences of compromised nuclear envelope integrity in cancer and senescent cells.

암세포와 노화세포에서는 세포핵 크기와 형태 항상성 교란이 빈번하다. 또한 핵막의 일시적 파열과 복구가 관찰된다. 우리 실험실은 세포 핵막 이상 및 복구의 기전과, 핵막 불안정성이 암 발달에 미치는 영향을 연구한다. 그리고 핵막 불안정성이라는 특성에 기반한 합성치사 항암제 후보를 탐색한다.