Temporal Stretch-Induced Nuclear Mechanosensing Coordinates Early Chromatin Accessibility and Genome Protection.

ABSTRACT: Cells respond to mechanical stimuli by transmitting forces to the nucleus, activating mechanosensitive molecules that alter chromatin organization and gene expression. While force-induced changes in cell fate are recognized, the spatiotemporal dynamics of nuclear mechanosensing remain unclear. Here, nuclear responses are investigated to temporal cyclic stretching in human dermal fibroblasts, uncovering a cascade of mechanosensitive events linking cytoskeletal remodeling, chromatin accessibility, and gene expression. Brief cyclic stretch induces rapid chromatin decondensation and nuclear softening, marked by reduced H3K9me3 levels. The stretch reinforces perinuclear actin assembly from globular actins, activated by Ca²⁺ release from the nucleus/endoplasmic reticulum. Notably, per

SUBMITTER: Shim HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12850466 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature