The nucleus feels the force, LINCed in or not!

Abstract

Mechanical signals affect many aspects of biological processes. Physical forces from the extracellular microenvironment are ultimately transmitted to the nucleus and elicit a response that result in the deformation and remodeling of the nucleus. Recent studies have shown that nuclear deformation has several consequences such as reorganization of chromatin, changes in gene expression, and nuclear envelope rupture. It is widely believed that a direct coupling between the cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton is required for nuclear deformation; however, some studies have proposed alternative mechanisms for nuclear deformation and the transmission of mechanical signals and stresses from the cytoskeleton to the nucleus. Herein, we review the processes, in which the cell nucleus experiences stresses and discuss the evidence of involvement of a direct link between the cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton in nuclear deformation.