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Related Concept Videos

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:37

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

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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.
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Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations01:46

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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.
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Additional Subnuclear Structures02:10

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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. 
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The Nucleus01:25

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The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
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The Nucleus01:32

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The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
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Membrane Domains01:18

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The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
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Specialization of nuclear membrane in eukaryotes.

Yuki Hara1

  • 1Evolutionary Cell Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida 1677-1, Yamaguchi city 753-8512, Japan yukihara@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp.

Journal of Cell Science
|June 28, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Nuclear size scales with cell size across life, but relationships differ between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Eukaryotic nuclear size also correlates with genomic content, suggesting unique nuclear membrane properties influence scaling.

Keywords:
AllometryCell sizeGenomic contentIntracellular size scalingNuclear size

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • The size of the nucleus (eukaryotes) and nucleoid (prokaryotes), which house genomic DNA, is thought to scale with cell size and DNA content.
  • However, a comprehensive analysis of nuclear-cell size scaling across diverse eukaryotic species is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the scaling relationship between nuclear volume, cell volume, and genomic content across a wide range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic species.
  • To explore potential differences in scaling properties among prokaryotes, unicellular eukaryotes, and multicellular eukaryotes.

Main Methods:

  • Compiled a comprehensive dataset of nuclear and cell volumes from published literature across diverse taxa.
  • Analyzed the correlation and scaling relationships between nuclear volume, cell volume, and genomic content.

Main Results:

  • A general correlation between nuclear volume and cell volume was observed across all species studied.
  • Distinct scaling properties were identified among prokaryotes, unicellular eukaryotes, and multicellular eukaryotes.
  • Nuclear volume correlated with genomic content in multicellular eukaryotes, but not in prokaryotes or unicellular eukaryotes.

Conclusions:

  • The fundamental principle of nuclear-size scaling is conserved in eukaryotes, but variations exist.
  • Structural and mechanical properties of the nuclear membrane and chromatin likely drive differences in scaling relationships.
  • Eukaryote-specific nuclear membrane characteristics may allow for significant flexibility in nuclear size relative to DNA density.