Nucleus and nucleus-cytoskeleton connections in 3D cell migration.
Cell migration plays an important role in many physiological and pathological settings, ranging from embryonic development to cancer metastasis. Currently, accumulating data suggest that cells migrating in three-dimensional (3D) environments show well-defined differences compared to their well-established two-dimensional (2D) counterparts. During 3D migration, the cell body and nucleus must deform to allow cellular passage through the available spaces, and the deformability of the relatively rigid nucleus may constitute a limiting step. Here, we highlight the key evidence regarding the role of the nuclear mechanics in 3D migration, including the molecular components that govern the stiffness of the nucleus and review how the nuclear dynamics are connected to and controlled by cytoskeleton-based migration machinery. Intriguingly, nuclear movement must be coordinated with the cytoskeletal dynamics at the leading and trailing edges, which in turn impact the cytoplasmic dynamics that affect the migration efficiency. Thus, we suggest that alterations in the nuclear structure may facilitate cellular reorganizations that are necessary for efficient migration.
Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: liulingling2012@163.com.
Lingling
L
Liu
Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: qing.luo@cqu.edu.cn.
Qing
Q
Luo
Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: sunjhemail@163.com.
Jinghui
J
Sun
Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: song@cqu.edu.cn.
Guanbin
G
Song
D002465:Cell Movement; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002470:Cell Survival; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008954:Models, Biological
Chromatin; Cytoskeleton; LINC complex; Lamins; Migration; Nuclear mechanics