New nuclear and perinuclear functions of formins

Formin family proteins (formins) represent an evolutionary conserved protein family encoded in the genome of a wide range of eukaryotes. Formins are hallmarked by a formin homology 1 (FH1) domain juxtaposed to an FH2 domain whereby they control actin and microtubule dynamics. Not surprisingly, formins are best known as key regulators of the cytoskeleton in a variety of morphogenetic processes. However, mounting evidence implicates several formins in the assembly and organization of actin within and around the nucleus. In addition, actin-independent roles for formins have recently been discovered. In this mini-review, we summarize these findings and highlight the novel nuclear and perinulcear functions of formins. In light of the emerging new biology of formins, we also discuss the fundamental principles governing the versatile activity and multimodal regulation of these proteins.