The effects of osmotic stress on the structure and function of the cell nucleus.
Date
2010
Author
Advisors
Guilak, Farshid
Kraus, Virginia
Setton, Lori A.
Wax, Adam P.
Zauscher, Stefan
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Abstract
Chondrocytes maintain cartilage by transducing joint load into appropriate biosynthetic
activity, a process commonly known as mechanotransduction. Malfunctioning mechanotransduction
leads to cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis. The mechanism of mechanotransduction
is only partially understood but osmotic stresses are thought to play an important
role. This study shows that the chondrocyte nucleus shrinks and wrinkles under hyper-osmotic
stress. It shrinks because the chromatin inside the nucleus contracts as the macromolecules
in the cell become more crowded. It wrinkles because the nuclear lamina buckles as
the nucleus contracts. These morphological changes accelerate transport across the
nuclear envelope. Many cells have organized actin caps around their nuclei that constrain
the nucleus from contracting under hyper-osmotic stress. Agents exist that can reverse
this loss of osmotic sensitivity in vitro without damaging the cell.
Type
DissertationDepartment
Biomedical EngineeringPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/2974Citation
Finan, John Desmond (2010). The effects of osmotic stress on the structure and function of the cell nucleus. Dissertation, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/2974.Collections
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