Chromatin phase separation and nuclear shape fluctuations are correlated in a polymer model of the nucleus.

ABSTRACT: Abnormal cell nuclear shapes are hallmarks of diseases, including progeria, muscular dystrophy, and many cancers. Experiments have shown that disruption of heterochromatin and increases in euchromatin lead to nuclear deformations, such as blebs and ruptures. However, the physical mechanisms through which chromatin governs nuclear shape are poorly understood. To investigate how heterochromatin and euchromatin might govern nuclear morphology, we studied chromatin microphase separation in a composite coarse-grained polymer and elastic shell simulation model. By varying chromatin density, heterochromatin composition, and heterochromatin-lamina interactions, we show how the chromatin phase organization may perturb nuclear shape. Increasing chromatin density stabilizes the lamina against large f

SUBMITTER: Attar AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11407394 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature