Modulation of Nuclear Shape by Substrate Rigidity.

ABSTRACT: The nucleus is mechanically coupled to the three cytoskeletal elements in the cell via linkages maintained by the LINC complex (for Linker of Nucleoskeleton to Cyto-skeleton). It has been shown that mechanical forces from the extracellular matrix (ECM) can be transmitted through the cytoskeleton to the nuclear surface. Here we quantified nuclear shape in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts on polyacrylamide gels with a controlled degree of cross-linking. On soft substrates with a Young's modulus of 0.4 kPa, the nucleus appeared rounded in its vertical cross-section, while on stiff substrates (308 kPa), the nucleus appears more flattened. Over-expression of dominant negative Klarsicht ANC-1 Syne Homology (KASH) domains, which disrupts the LINC complex, eliminated the sensitivity of nuclear shape to substra

SUBMITTER: Lovett DB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3727663 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature