title: Nuclear mechanics in differentiation and development.
abstract: The nucleus is by far one of the stiffest organelles within cells of higher eukaryotes. Its mechanical properties are determined by contributions from the nuclear lamina and chromatin. Together they allow a viscoelastic response of the nucleus to applied stresses, where the lamina is thought to behave as an elastic shell, while the nucleoplasm contributes as a largely viscous material. Nuclear mechanics changes during differentiation and development. Altered nuclear mechanics reflects but might also influence global re-arrangements in chromatin architecture, which take place when cells commit themselves into distinct lineages. Thus it is likely that the mechanical characteristics of nuclei significantly contribute to proper differentiation.
authors.affiliation: IBDML, UMR6216 CNRS-Université de la Méditerranée, Campus de Luminy, case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hampoelz
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lecuit
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000502:physiology; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D034881:Nuclear Lamina / Q000502:physiology; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin