Enucleated Cells Reveal Differential Roles of the Nucleus in Cell Migration, Polarity, and Mechanotransduction

Authors

Gunes Uzer, Boise State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2018

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201706097

Abstract

The nucleus has long been postulated to play a critical physical role during cell polarization and migration, but that role has not been defined or rigorously tested. Here, we enucleated cells to test the physical necessity of the nucleus during cell polarization and directed migration. Using enucleated mammalian cells (cytoplasts), we found that polarity establishment and cell migration in one dimension (1D) and two dimensions (2D) occur without the nucleus. Cytoplasts directionally migrate toward soluble (chemotaxis) and surface-bound (haptotaxis) extracellular cues and migrate collectively in scratch-wound assays. Consistent with previous studies, migration in 3D environments was dependent on the nucleus. In part, this likely reflects the decreased force exerted by cytoplasts on mechanically compliant substrates. This response is mimicked both in cells with nucleocytoskeletal defects and upon inhibition of actomyosin-based contractility. Together, our observations reveal that the nucleus is dispensable for polarization and migration in 1D and 2D but critical for proper cell mechanical responses.

Comments

For a complete list of authors, please see article.

Copyright Statement

© Uzer, Gunes; et al., 2018. Originally published in Journal of Cell Biology. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201706097

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Publication Information

Uzer, Gunes. (2018). "Enucleated Cells Reveal Differential Roles of the Nucleus in Cell Migration, Polarity, and Mechanotransduction". Journal of Cell Biology, 217(3), 895-1 - 895-20.