Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Nucleosome

The Nucleosome

DNA in a human cell is almost 2m long and it is packed inside a tiny nucleus that is only a few microns in diameter. The level of compaction of DNA inside the nucleus is astonishing. It is organized into several sequentially higher levels of compaction to fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...

Chromatin Packaging

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter?
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order structures.

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis.
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...

Chromatin Packaging

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter?
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order structures.

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis.
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...

Chromatin Packaging

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base pairs of DNA. Each base pair is 0.34 nm long, meaning each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. This long DNA strand is packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10-20 microns in diameter with the help of specialized DNA-binding proteins called histones. Together they form a compact DNA-protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin is further compacted into higher-order structures. The highest level of compaction is achieved during...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Podosomes and Mechanical Force.

Results and problems in cell differentiation·2026

Same author

Ancestral pattern of the <i>Xenopus</i> germ cell cyst: From the germ stem cells to the oocytes and nurse cells.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Macrophage Actin Cytoskeleton in Chronic Rejection.

Results and problems in cell differentiation·2026

Same author

Special Issue "Human and Animal Monocytes and Macrophages in Homeostasis and Disease: 5th Edition".

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Same author

CDC6 Inhibits CDK1 Activity in MII-Arrested Oocyte Cell-Free Extract.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Same author

Gadolinium retention effect on macrophages - a potential cause of MRI contrast agent Dotarem toxicity.

Cell and tissue research·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton

Published on: July 29, 2018

Mechanical Forces, Nucleus, Chromosomes, and Chromatin.

Malgorzata Kloc^1,2,3, Jarek Wosik^4,5

¹Transplant Immunology, The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

|March 28, 2025

Summary

Cells sense and respond to mechanical forces through mechanotransduction pathways. These forces impact the nucleus, influencing gene expression and cell fate, with memory stored epigenetically.

Keywords:

actin chromatin chromosomes mechanical force mechanosensing mechanotransduction microtubules nucleus transcription

More Related Videos

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 31, 2021

Injection of Porcine Adipose Tissue-Derived Stroma Cells via Waterjet Technology

Injection of Porcine Adipose Tissue-Derived Stroma Cells via Waterjet Technology

Published on: November 23, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton

Published on: July 29, 2018

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers

Published on: August 31, 2021

Injection of Porcine Adipose Tissue-Derived Stroma Cells via Waterjet Technology

Injection of Porcine Adipose Tissue-Derived Stroma Cells via Waterjet Technology

Published on: November 23, 2021

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biophysics
Mechanobiology

Background:

Cells constantly experience mechanical forces from their environment and internal structures.
These forces, including tension, compression, and shear stress, are critical for cellular function.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of recent advancements in understanding cellular mechanotransduction.
To highlight the effects of mechanical forces on the cell nucleus, chromosomes, and chromatin.

Main Methods:

Review of current literature on cellular mechanotransduction.
Emphasis on the molecular mechanisms linking mechanical stress to nuclear responses.

Main Results:

Mechanical stressors activate specific mechanotransduction pathways.
Nuclear components, including chromatin and nucleoskeleton, are affected by mechanical forces.
Epigenetic modifications store the memory of cellular mechanical responses.

Conclusions:

Cellular mechanical forces play a crucial role in regulating cell identity, fate, and immune responses.
Understanding mechanotransduction is key to comprehending cellular behavior and disease.
Nuclear responses to mechanical stress are integral to cellular adaptation and function.