Mechanobiology of the nucleus during the G2-M transition

ABSTRACT

Cellular behavior is continuously influenced by mechanical forces. These forces span the cytoskeleton and reach the nucleus, where they trigger mechanotransduction pathways that regulate downstream biochemical events. Therefore, the nucleus has emerged as a regulator of cellular response to mechanical stimuli. Cell cycle progression is regulated by cyclin-CDK complexes. Recent studies demonstrated these biochemical pathways are influenced by mechanical signals, highlighting the interdependence of cellular mechanics and cell cycle regulation. In particular, the transition from G2 to mitosis (G2-M) shows significant changes in nuclear structure and organization, ranging from nuclear pore complex (NPC) and nuclear lamina disassembly to chromosome condensation. The remodeling of these mechanically active nuclear components indicates that mitotic entry is particularly sensitive to forces. Here, we address how mechanical forces crosstalk with the nucleus to determine the timing and efficiency of the G2-M transition. Finally, we discuss how the deregulation of nuclear mechanics has consequences for mitosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Chromosome
• G2-M transition
• LINC complex
• mechanotransduction
• nuclear envelope
• nuclear pore complex
• nucleus

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article, as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Author contributions

J.T.L. and J.G.F. prepared the manuscript. J.G.F. provided the conceptual framework for this study. All authors have contributed to the manuscript and approved its submission.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Portuguese funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior in the framework of the project PTDC/BIA-CEL/6740/2020. J.T.L. is supported by grant SFRH/BD/147169/2019 through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior.