Can the nucleus be affected by diseases?

Yes, various diseases can result from abnormalities or mutations in the DNA. These types of diseases include: genetic disorders, malignancies, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and nuclear envelope disorders. Genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis arise from mutations in specific genes or chromosomal abnormalities that alter the function of the nucleus. In malignancies, mutations occur in genes involved in tumor suppression, cell cycle regulation or DNA repair. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell division and growth. Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzhimers involve the dysfunction or accumulation of specific proteins within the nucleus. These harmful mechanisms can affect nuclear transport, and transcriptional regulation, leading to neural degeneration. Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus occur because autoantibodies target components of the nucleus such as DNA or specific nuclear antigens. These autoantibodies may cause chronic inflammation and damage the nucleus which can lead to diseases. Diseases like Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a type of disease caused by mutations in the genes encoding proteins associated with the nuclear envelope.