Cross talk between the cytoplasm and nucleus during development and disease.
Mechanotransduction is a process whereby mechanical stimuli outside the cell are sensed by components of the plasma membrane and transmitted as signals through the cytoplasm that terminate in the nucleus. The nucleus responds to these signals by altering gene expression. During mechanotransduction, complex networks of proteins are responsible for cross talk between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. These proteins include cell membrane receptors, cytoplasmic filaments, LINC complex members that bridge the nucleus and cytoplasm, and nuclear envelope proteins that connect to the chromatin. Mechanotransduction also plays a critical role in development. Furthermore, it is possible that disrupted mechanotransduction leads to changes in gene expression that underlie the pathogenic mechanisms of disease.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address: lori-wallrath@uiowa.edu.
Lori L
LL
Wallrath
Institute of Biology and Translational Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Jens
J
Bohnekamp
Institute of Biology and Translational Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Thomas M
TM
Magin
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000235:genetics*; D009685:Nuclear Envelope / Q000235:genetics; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics
D002843:Chromatin; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding