Final answer:
The proteins that make up the nuclear lamina are called lamins, which are part of the intermediate filaments superfamily. These lamins provide structural support to the nucleus and help maintain the shape of the nuclear envelope.
Step-by-step explanation:
The proteins that make up the nuclear lamina are known as lamins, which belong to the intermediate filaments superfamily. This superfamily is characterized by proteins with extended secondary structure that do not fold into tertiary structures. Lamins are a type of intermediate filament that operates as a key structural component within the cell nucleus providing essential support to the nuclear envelope. The nuclear lamina is a dense meshwork located just inside the nuclear envelope, crucial for maintaining the shape and stability of the nucleus.
Intermediate filaments are also responsible for conferring tensile strength to tissues and play roles in cellular functions, such as maintaining cell shape and anchoring other cellular structures in place. Specifically, the lamin proteins of the nuclear lamina form a kind of nucleoskeleton, playing a pivotal role in supporting the nucleus structurally.