Linear arrays of nuclear envelope proteins harness retrograde actin flow for nuclear movement

Science. 2010 Aug 20;329(5994):956-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1189072.

Abstract

Nuclei move to specific locations to polarize migrating and differentiating cells. Many nuclear movements are microtubule-dependent. However, nuclear movement to reorient the centrosome in migrating fibroblasts occurs through an unknown actin-dependent mechanism. We found that linear arrays of outer (nesprin2G) and inner (SUN2) nuclear membrane proteins assembled on and moved with retrogradely moving dorsal actin cables during nuclear movement in polarizing fibroblasts. Inhibition of nesprin2G, SUN2, or actin prevented nuclear movement and centrosome reorientation. The coupling of actin cables to the nuclear membrane for nuclear movement via specific membrane proteins indicates that, like plasma membrane integrins, nuclear membrane proteins assemble into actin-dependent arrays for force transduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Centrosome / physiology
  • Fibroblasts
  • Lysophospholipids / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Movement
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Envelope / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Telomere-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Lysophospholipids
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Sun2 protein, mouse
  • Syne2 protein, mouse
  • Telomere-Binding Proteins
  • lysophosphatidic acid