Volume regulation and shape bifurcation in the cell nucleus

Dong Hwee Kim, Bo Li, Fangwei Si, Jude M. Phillip, Denis Wirtz, Sean X. Sun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Alterations in nuclear morphology are closely associated with essential cell functions, such as cell motility and polarization, and correlate with a wide range of human diseases, including cancer, muscular dystrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy and progeria. However, the mechanics and forces that shape the nucleus are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that when an adherent cell is detached from its substratum, the nucleus undergoes a large volumetric reduction accompanied by a morphological transition from an almost smooth to a heavily folded surface. We develop a mathematical model that systematically analyzes the evolution of nuclear shape and volume. The analysis suggests that the pressure difference across the nuclear envelope, which is influenced by changes in cell volume and regulated by microtubules and actin filaments, is a major factor determining nuclear morphology. Our results show that physical and chemical properties of the extracellular microenvironment directly influence nuclear morphology and suggest that there is a direct link between the environment and gene regulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3375-3385
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of cell science
Volume128
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Cell nucleus
  • Mechanics
  • Multi-bifurcations
  • Volume change

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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