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

TLDR

Single cells constantly experience mechanical challenges in 3D tissues, and spatial constraints, activity, and injury alter cell shape, yet how cells sense shape deformations to maintain tissue development and homeostasis is largely unknown. The nuclear envelope acts as a deformation gauge, triggering a mechanotransduction pathway that regulates actomyosin contractility and migration plasticity. The study demonstrates that the nucleus functions as an intracellular ruler to measure cellular shape changes, enabling cells to adjust behavior to the local microenvironment. See Venturini et al.

Abstract

The nucleus makes the rules Single cells continuously experience and react to mechanical challenges in three-dimensional tissues. Spatial constraints in dense tissues, physical activity, and injury all impose changes in cell shape. How cells can measure shape deformations to ensure correct tissue development and homeostasis remains largely unknown (see the Perspective by Shen and Niethammer). Working independently, Venturini et al. and Lomakin et al. now show that the nucleus can act as an intracellular ruler to measure cellular shape variations. The nuclear envelope provides a gauge of cell deformation and activates a mechanotransduction pathway that controls actomyosin contractility and migration plasticity. The cell nucleus thereby allows cells to adapt their behavior to the local tissue microenvironment. Science , this issue p. eaba2644 , p. eaba2894 ; see also p. 295