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Related Concept Videos

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

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The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
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In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
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Nuclear protein sorting is the selective trafficking of histones, polymerases, gene regulatory proteins into the nucleus and exporting RNAs and ribosomes to the cytosol. It is a tightly controlled process that regulates gene expression within a cell.
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Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...
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The translocon complex situated on the ER membrane is the main gateway for the protein secretory pathway. It facilitates the transport of nascent peptides into the ER lumen and their insertion into the ER membrane.
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Nuclear Export01:42

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The nucleus restricts several proteins within and allows others to pass. The restricted proteins possess a nuclear retention sequence or NRS, anchoring them to the nuclear lamins and preventing their transport to the cytosol. The non-restricted proteins, after their synthesis, are transported to their site of action, such as the cytosol or other organelles, with the help of nuclear export signals or NES.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

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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Mechanotransduction by nuclear envelope tension.

Sriivatsan G Rajan1, Pere Roca-Cusachs2,3, Philipp Niethammer1

  • 1Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.

Nucleus (Austin, Tex.)
|December 16, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Nuclear envelope membrane tension regulates cell function through mechanotransduction. This review covers cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) pathways and nuclear pore dilation, highlighting unique nuclear mechanosensing properties.

Keywords:
Cytosolic phospholipase A2YAPmechanobiologymembranenuclear deformationnuclear envelopenuclear pore complexnuclear transportnucleustension

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Last Updated: Jan 8, 2026

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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
  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mechanotransduction via lipid membrane tension is established at the plasma membrane.
  • Emerging research demonstrates its role in endomembranes, particularly the nuclear envelope.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review membrane tension-mediated mechanotransduction at the nuclear envelope.
  • To focus on cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) pathway and nuclear pore dilation.
  • To discuss mechanisms, physiological implications, and unique properties of nuclear mechanosensing.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mechanotransduction studies.
  • Analysis of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) pathway mechanisms.
  • Examination of nuclear pore dilation in response to membrane tension.

Main Results:

  • Identified two primary modes of nuclear envelope mechanotransduction: cPLA2 pathway and nuclear pore dilation.
  • Discussed the mechanisms and physiological relevance of these pathways.
  • Highlighted how nuclear envelope tension enables context-dependent mechanosensing distinct from the plasma membrane.

Conclusions:

  • Nuclear envelope tension is a critical regulator of cellular processes.
  • cPLA2 pathways and nuclear pore complexes are key mechanosensors at the nuclear envelope.
  • Further research may uncover additional mechanosensors at the nuclear envelope.