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Related Concept Videos

Additional Subnuclear Structures02:10

Additional Subnuclear Structures

The eukaryotic nucleus is a double membrane-bound organelle that contains nearly all of the cell’s genetic material in the form of chromosomes. It is rightly called the “brain” of the cell as it shoulders the responsibility of responding to various physiological processes, stress, altered metabolic conditions, and other cellular signals. 
The nucleus contains many membrane-less subnuclear organelles or nuclear bodies, such as nucleoli, Cajal bodies, speckles, paraspeckles, etc. These nuclear...
Additional Subnuclear Structures02:10

Additional Subnuclear Structures

The eukaryotic nucleus is a double membrane-bound organelle that contains nearly all of the cell’s genetic material in the form of chromosomes. It is rightly called the “brain” of the cell as it shoulders the responsibility of responding to various physiological processes, stress, altered metabolic conditions, and other cellular signals. 
The nucleus contains many membrane-less subnuclear organelles or nuclear bodies, such as nucleoli, Cajal bodies, speckles, paraspeckles, etc. These nuclear...
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together in the...
Nuclear Fission02:50

Nuclear Fission

Many heavier elements with smaller binding energies per nucleon can decompose into more stable elements that have intermediate mass numbers and larger binding energies per nucleon—that is, mass numbers and binding energies per nucleon that are closer to the “peak” of the binding energy graph near 56. Sometimes neutrons are also produced. This decomposition of a large nucleus into smaller pieces is called fission. The breaking is rather random with the formation of a large number of different...
Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations01:46

Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:37

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...

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Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy
10:57

Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy

Published on: November 11, 2025

Building silent compartments at the nuclear periphery: a recurrent theme.

Peter Meister1, Angela Taddei

  • 1Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. peter.meister@izb.unibe.ch

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|January 15, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The nuclear envelope (NE) physically protects the genome and organizes it in 3D space. Recent findings reveal its role in gene repression and the formation of silent compartments across different species.

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A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton
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A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton

Published on: July 29, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy
10:57

Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy

Published on: November 11, 2025

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton
05:47

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton

Published on: July 29, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The nucleus, enclosed by the nuclear envelope (NE), houses eukaryotic genetic material.
  • The NE provides physical protection and cellular compartmentalization.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the NE's role in genome 3D organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the NE's function in gene repression.
  • To explore models of silent subnuclear compartment formation at the NE.
  • To draw parallels in NE function across yeast, C. elegans, and mammalian cells.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies.
  • Analysis of models for silent compartment formation.
  • Comparative analysis across different model organisms.

Main Results:

  • The NE's physical barrier function extends to regulating gene expression.
  • Specific models describe the assembly of transcriptionally silent regions at the NE.
  • Similar mechanisms for building silent compartments are observed in diverse eukaryotes.

Conclusions:

  • The nuclear periphery is a key player in genome organization and regulation.
  • Understanding NE-mediated gene silencing provides insights into fundamental biological processes.
  • Comparative studies reveal conserved principles of nuclear organization.