Nuclear β-dystroglycan (β-DG) is involved in the maintenance of nuclear architecture and function. Nonetheless, its relevance in defined nuclear processes remains to be determined. In this study we generated a C2C12 cell-based DG-null model using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to provide insights into the role of β-DG on nuclear processes. Since DG-null cells exhibited decreased levels of lamin B1, we aimed to elucidate the contribution of DG to senescence, owing to the central role of lamin B1 in this pathway. Remarkably, the lack of DG enables C2C12 cells to acquire senescent features, including cell-cycle arrest, increased senescence-associated-β-galactosidase activity, heterochromatin loss, aberrant nuclear morphology and nucleolar disruption. We demonstrated that genomic instability is one driving cause of the senescent phenotype in DG-null cells via the activation of a DNA-damage response associated with mitotic failure, as shown by the presence of multipolar mitotic spindles, which in turn induced the formation of micronuclei and γH2AX foci (DNA-damage marker), telomere shortening and p53/p21 upregulation. Altogether, these events might ultimately lead to premature senescence, impeding the replication of the damaged genome. In summary, we present evidence supporting a role for DG in protecting against senescence, through the maintenance of proper lamin B1 expression/localization and proper mitotic spindle organization.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare premature aging disorder caused by the expression of progerin, a mutant variant of Lamin A. Recently, HGPS studies have gained relevance because unraveling its underlying mechanism would help to understand physiological aging. We previously reported that the CRM1-mediated nuclear protein export pathway is exacerbated in HGPS cells, provoking the mislocalization of numerous protein targets of CRM1. We showed that normalization of this mechanism by pharmacologically inhibiting CRM1 with LMB (specific CRM1 inhibitor), mitigates the senescent phenotype of HGPS cells. Since mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of HGPS, in this study we analyze the effect of LMB on mitochondrial function. Remarkably, LMB treatment induced the recovery of mitochondrial function in HGPS cells, as shown by the improvement in mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP levels, which consequently impeded the accumulation of ROS but not mitochondrial superoxide. We provide evidence that the beneficial effect of LMB is mechanistically based on a combinatory effect on mitochondrial biogenesis via upregulation of PGC-1α expression (master transcription cofactor of mitochondrial genes), and mitophagy through the recovery of lysosomal content. The use of exportin CRM1 inhibitors constitutes a promising strategy to treat HGPS and other diseases characterized by mitochondrial impairment.