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The nucleus is a conserved mechanosensation and mechanoresponse organelle
Author(s) -
Navarro Alexandra P.,
Collins Mary Ann,
Folker Eric S.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
cytoskeleton
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1949-3592
pISSN - 1949-3584
DOI - 10.1002/cm.21277
Subject(s) - mechanotransduction , mechanosensation , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , nucleus , organelle , cytoskeleton , cell , extracellular matrix , cell cortex , neuroscience , genetics , receptor , ion channel
Cells in vivo exist in a dynamic environment where they experience variable mechanical influences. The precise mechanical environment influences cell‐cell interactions, cell‐extracellular matrix interactions, and in‐turn, cell morphology and cell function. Therefore, the ability of each cell to constantly and rapidly alter their behavior in response to variations in their mechanical environment is essential for cell viability, development, and function. Mechanotransduction, the process by which mechanical force is translated into a biochemical signal to activate downstream cellular responses, is thus crucial to cell function during development and homeostasis. Although much research has focused on how protein complexes at the cell cortex respond to mechanical stress to initiate mechanotransduction, the nucleus has emerged as crucial to the ability of the cell to perceive and respond to changes in its mechanical environment. This additional method for mechanosensing allows for direct transmission of force through the cytoskeleton to the nucleus, which can increase the speed at which a cell changes its transcriptional profile. This review discusses recent work demonstrating the importance of the nucleus in mediating the cellular response to internal and external force, establishing the nucleus as an important mechanosensing organelle. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.