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A nuclear jamming transition in vertebrate organogenesis
Sangwoo Kim1,2, Rana Amini3, Shuo-Ting Yen3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
Nature Materials
|August 12, 2024
Summary
Cellular jamming transitions are crucial for tissue development. This study reveals a nuclear jamming transition in zebrafish, where packed nuclei control tissue mechanics and structure.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Biophysics
- Cell biology
Background:
- Cellular jamming and rigidity transitions are vital for tissue dynamics and morphogenesis.
- Tissue physical state is influenced by cellular density and cell-cell contact mechanics.
- The role of subcellular organelles in emergent tissue physics remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of subcellular organelles, specifically the nucleus, to tissue mechanics and physical state.
- To identify and characterize a potential nuclear jamming transition in developing tissues.
- To elucidate the relationship between nuclear packing, cell mechanics, and tissue architecture.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tissue architecture, mechanics, and nuclear movements in zebrafish retina and brain tissues during development.
- Computational modeling to assess the impact of nuclear volume fraction and cell anisotropy on tissue physical state.
- Observation and quantification of nuclear packing and cellular arrangement.
Main Results:
- A nuclear jamming transition was identified in zebrafish retina and brain tissues.
- Highly packed nuclei were found to restrict cellular movements, influencing tissue mechanics and architecture.
- Increasing nuclear packing correlated with more ordered cellular arrangements, mimicking crystalline structures.
- Computational models indicated nuclear volume fraction and cell anisotropy as key regulators of tissue physical state.
Conclusions:
- The cell nucleus plays a significant role in regulating tissue mechanics and architecture.
- Nuclear jamming is a critical process influencing tissue development and organization.
- Understanding nuclear contributions to tissue physics offers new insights into morphogenesis and developmental disorders.
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