Characterization of the elastic properties of the nuclear envelope

• Published in: Journal of the Royal Society interface Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 63 - 69
• Main Authors: Rowat, A.C, Foster, L.J, Nielsen, M.M, Weiss, M, Ipsen, J.H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London The Royal Society 22-03-2005
• Subjects: Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy; Elasticity; Gene Expression Regulation; Green Fluorescent Protein-Lamin A; HeLa Cells; Humans; Lamin Type A; Mechanics; Micropipette Aspiration; Nuclear Envelope - chemistry; Nuclear Proteins - metabolism; Nucleoporin P62; Protein Precursors - metabolism; Rheology
• ISSN: 1742-5689; 1742-5662
• DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2004.0022

Underlying the nuclear envelope (NE) of most eukaryotic cells is the nuclear lamina, a meshwork consisting largely of coiled-coil nuclear intermediate filament proteins that play a critical role in nuclear organization and gene expression, and are vital for the structural stability of the NE/nucleus. By confocal microscopy and micromanipulation of the NE in living cells and isolated nuclei, we show that the NE undergoes deformations without large-scale rupture and maintains structural stability when exposed to mechanical stress. In conjunction with image analysis, we have developed theory for a two-dimensional elastic material to quantify NE elastic behaviour. We show that the NE is elastic and exhibits characteristics of a continuous two-dimensional solid, including connections between lamins and the embedded nuclear pore complexes. Correlating models of NE lateral organization to the experimental findings indicates a heterogeneous lateral distribution of NE components on a mesoscopic scale.