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Cellular dimensions affecting the nucleocytoplasmic volume ratio.

J A Swanson1, M Lee, P E Knapp

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

The Journal of Cell Biology
|November 1, 1991
PubMed
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Researchers developed a new method to measure the nucleus-to-cytoplasm volume ratio in eukaryotic cells. This study reveals that nuclear volume scales allometrically with cell volume, suggesting a close link between nuclear size and cytoplasmic volume, excluding organelles.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Eukaryotic cell size correlates with nuclear size, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.
  • The nuclear envelope's pores regulate molecular and volume exchange between the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and validate a method for quantifying the nucleocytoplasmic volume ratio.
  • To investigate how cellular dimensions and nuclear volume are maintained across different cell types and conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Cells were loaded with two fluorescent dextrans of different molecular weights (10 kDa and 70 kDa) to differentiate nuclear and cytoplasmic spaces.
  • Fluorescence imaging and ratiometry were used to determine the aqueous nucleocytoplasmic volume ratio (RN/C).
  • RN/C was measured in various cell types and under conditions altering cell volume and intracellular compartments.

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Main Results:

  • The nucleocytoplasmic volume ratio (RN/C) was reliably measured using fluorescent dextrans, unaffected by temperature or standard measurement procedures.
  • Cellular manipulations like phagocytosis and pinocytosis affected RN/C differently, indicating nuclear volume is linked to cytoplasmic volume excluding vesicular organelles.
  • Nuclear volume scaled allometrically with cell volume across diverse cell types, with cell volume proportional to nuclear surface area.

Conclusions:

  • A novel method accurately quantifies the nucleocytoplasmic volume ratio.
  • Nuclear volume is closely coupled to cytoplasmic volume, not total cell volume, and scales allometrically with it.
  • The findings suggest nuclear surface area plays a critical role in determining cell size.