The SUN1 splicing variants SUN1_888 and SUN1_916 differentially regulate nucleolar structure

The nucleolar structure is highly dynamic and strictly regulated in response to internal cues, such as metabolic rates, and to external cues, such as mechanical forces applied to cells. Although the multilayered nucleolar structure is largely determined by the liquid-like properties of RNA and proteins, the mechanisms regulating the morphology and number of nucleoli remain elusive. The linker of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex comprises inner nuclear membrane Sad1/UNC-84 (SUN) proteins and outer nuclear membrane-localized nesprins. We previously showed that the depletion of SUN1 proteins affects nucleolar morphologies. This study focuses on the function of SUN1 splicing variants in determining nucleolar morphology. An RNA interference strategy showed that the predominantly expressed variants, SUN1_888 and SUN1_916, were crucial for nucleolar morphology but functionally distinct. In addition, the depletion of either SUN1_888 or SUN1_916 altered the chromatin structure and affected the distribution of histone modifications. Based on these results, we propose a model in which the LINC complex plays a role in modulating nucleolar morphology and numbers via chromatin.