Rear cortex contraction aids in nuclear transit during confined migration by increasing pressure in the cell posterior.

ABSTRACT: As cells migrate through biological tissues, they must frequently squeeze through micron-sized constrictions in the form of interstitial pores between extracellular matrix fibers and/or other cells. Although it is now well recognized that such confined migration is limited by the nucleus, which is the largest and stiffest organelle, it remains incompletely understood how cells apply sufficient force to move their nucleus through small constrictions. Here, we report a mechanism by which contraction of the cell rear cortex pushes the nucleus forward to mediate nuclear transit through constrictions. Laser ablation of the rear cortex reveals that pushing forces behind the nucleus are the result of increased intracellular pressure in the rear compartment of the cell. The pushing forces behind t

SUBMITTER: Keys J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11234373 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature