False-colored transmission electron micrograph of an aortic smooth muscle cell from a mouse with progeria
Progeria is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation that results in the production of a mutant form of prelamin A called progerin. This results in nuclear envelopes that are unstable and susceptible to mechanical stress. The nucleus (shown in blue) is severely deformed with large invaginations and tubules throughout. Cytoplasm is colored yellow; extracellular matrix is red.
Submitted by: Thomas Weston, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA