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Related Concept Videos

The Nucleus01:25

The Nucleus

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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.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
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The Nucleus01:32

The Nucleus

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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.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...
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Additional Subnuclear Structures02:10

Additional Subnuclear Structures

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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. 
The nucleus contains many membrane-less subnuclear organelles or nuclear bodies, such as nucleoli, Cajal bodies, speckles,...
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Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression02:35

Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression

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Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences  access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area. 
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Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

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A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
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Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation02:36

Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation

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Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers
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Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

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The nucleus measures shape changes for cellular proprioception to control dynamic cell behavior.

Valeria Venturini1,2, Fabio Pezzano2, Frederic Català Castro1

  • 1ICFO - Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels, Spain.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 16, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cells use their nucleus as a physical gauge to sense shape changes and mechanical stress. This cellular proprioception adapts cell behavior to the surrounding microenvironment, controlling migration and contractility.

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Biophysical Assays to Probe the Mechanical Properties of the Interphase Cell Nucleus: Substrate Strain Application and Microneedle Manipulation
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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Mechanobiology
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • The cellular microenvironment critically influences tissue development and homeostasis.
  • Understanding how cells sense and respond to physical cues like shape and mechanical stress is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how single cells decode geometrical shape information under mechanical stress within tissues.
  • To identify the cellular mechanisms underlying spatial sensing and adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a zebrafish model system.
  • Investigated the role of the nucleus as a mechanical sensor.
  • Analyzed inner nuclear membrane dynamics and calcium-dependent pathways.

Main Results:

  • The nucleus acts as an elastic deformation gauge, measuring cell shape changes.
  • Inner nuclear membrane unfolding upon nucleus stretching provides physical shape information.
  • This process activates a calcium-dependent pathway controlling actomyosin contractility and cell migration plasticity.

Conclusions:

  • The nucleus functions as a key component of cellular proprioception.
  • Cells adapt their behavior to the microenvironment by sensing shape variations via the nucleus.
  • This mechanism is vital for maintaining tissue homeostasis and development.