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Dealing with the nucleus during cell migration.

Francisco J Calero-Cuenca1, Cátia S Janota1, Edgar R Gomes1

  • 1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|February 18, 2018
PubMed
Summary

This review explores how the nucleus moves and positions itself during cell migration. The nucleus is not a passive structure but interacts dynamically with the cytoskeleton, influencing migration efficiency. The study highlights differences in nuclear positioning between cell types, such as cancer cells and leukocytes. The position of the nucleus affects how cells move through different environments, including 2D and 3D substrates. The review also emphasizes the role of nuclear deformability and envelope content in migration. These findings suggest that nuclear mechanics are closely tied to cell function and migration outcomes.

Keywords:
cell migration mechanicsnuclear positioningcytoskeleton interactionsnuclear deformability

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Area of Science:

  • Cell migration dynamics within cell biology
  • Nuclear mechanics in developmental and cancer biology

Background:

Understanding how the nucleus moves within a cell is essential for grasping the mechanics of cell migration. Prior research has shown that the nucleus plays a central role in cell behavior, especially during migration processes. However, the specific mechanisms governing nuclear positioning remain unclear. This uncertainty has driven recent investigations into the forces and interactions that regulate nuclear movement. The nucleus is not a passive structure; it interacts dynamically with the cytoskeleton during migration. These interactions are influenced by intrinsic nuclear properties and the surrounding microenvironment. The last two years have brought new insights into how nuclear positioning affects migration outcomes. This paper builds on existing knowledge by examining how nuclear positioning varies across cell types and environments.

Purpose Of The Study:

The aim of this review is to synthesize recent findings on how nuclear positioning influences cell migration. It focuses on the interplay between the nucleus and the cytoskeleton during migration. The study addresses the gap in understanding how nuclear movement impacts migration efficiency. By analyzing recent literature, the authors seek to clarify the role of nuclear mechanics in migration. They also explore differences in migration patterns between 2D and 3D environments. The review highlights the importance of nuclear positioning in various cell types, including cancer and leukocytes. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms regulating nuclear positioning. This work contributes to a better understanding of how cells navigate through complex environments.

Main Methods:

The authors conducted a literature review to compile recent findings on nuclear positioning during cell migration. They focused on studies published in the last two years to capture the latest developments in the field. The review approach included analyzing interactions between the nucleus and cytoskeleton. The study also examined how nuclear mechanics influence migration in different environments. The authors synthesized evidence from multiple disciplines, including cell biology and biophysics. They compared findings across cell types, such as cancer cells and leukocytes. The review approach emphasized the role of nuclear deformability and envelope content. The synthesis of findings was structured around intrinsic nuclear properties and environmental factors.

Main Results:

The review highlights that nuclear positioning is tightly regulated during migration. The nucleus experiences opposing forces from the cytoskeleton, affecting its movement. In cancer cells, the nucleus is often positioned away from the leading edge, limiting migration. Leukocytes, however, position their nucleus near the lamellipodia, aiding migration through tissues. The study found that nuclear positioning varies between 2D and 3D environments. The nature of the substrate significantly influences nuclear movement and positioning. The review also revealed that nuclear deformability and envelope content are key factors. These findings suggest that nuclear mechanics are closely tied to cell function during migration.

Conclusions:

The authors conclude that nuclear positioning is a dynamic process influenced by multiple factors. The nucleus is not a passive structure but actively interacts with the cytoskeleton during migration. The review suggests that nuclear mechanics are essential for efficient cell movement. The findings indicate that nuclear positioning is cell-type and environment-specific. The authors propose that the microenvironment plays a significant role in regulating nuclear movement. They also suggest that nuclear deformability and envelope content are critical for migration. The review emphasizes the need for further research into the mechanisms of nuclear positioning. These conclusions align with the recent literature on cell migration and nuclear dynamics.

Nuclear positioning influences migration efficiency by affecting the cell's ability to move through different environments.

The cytoskeleton exerts opposing forces on the nucleus, regulating its movement and positioning during migration.

Cancer cells position their nucleus away from the leading edge, while leukocytes place it near the lamellipodia, aiding migration through tissues.

Nuclear positioning varies between 2D and 3D environments due to differences in substrate properties and cell mechanics.

Nuclear deformability is influenced by the nuclear envelope content and interactions with the cytoskeleton.

These findings suggest that nuclear positioning is tightly regulated and impacts migration outcomes in various cell types.