Nuclear blebs are herniations of the nucleus that occur in diseased nuclei that cause nuclear rupture leading to cellular dysfunction. Chromatin and lamins are two of the major structural components of the nucleus that maintain its shape and function, but their relative roles in nuclear blebbing remain elusive. To determine the composition of nuclear blebs, we compared the immunofluorescence intensity of DNA and lamin B in the main nucleus body to the nuclear bleb across cell types and perturbations. DNA density in the nuclear bleb was consistently decreased to about half of the nuclear body while lamin B levels in the nuclear bleb varied widely. Partial Wave Spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy recapitulated significantly decreased likelihood of high-density domains in the nuclear bleb versus body, independent of lamin B. Time lapse imaging into immunofluorescence reveals that decreased DNA density marks all nuclear blebs while decreased lamin B1 levels only occur in blebs that have recently ruptured. Thus, decreased DNA density is a better marker of a nuclear bleb than lamin B level.
Decreased DNA density is a better indicator of a nuclear bleb than lamin B loss
co-first authors contributed equally
Call for papers - Cilia and Flagella: from Basic Biology to Disease
We are welcoming submissions for our upcoming special issue: Cilia and Flagella: from Basic Biology to Disease. This issue will be coordinated by two Guest Editors: Pleasantine Mill (University of Edinburgh) and Lotte Pedersen (University of Copenhagen). Submission deadline: 1 March 2025.
Biologists @ 100 - join us in Liverpool in March 2025
We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the Spring Meetings of the BSCB and the BSDB, the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and a DMM programme on antimicrobial resistance. Find out more and register your interest to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK.
Principles and regulation of mechanosensing
Mechanics play a fundamental role in cell physiology and represent physical mechanisms which cells use to influence function from the molecular to tissue scale. In this Review, Stefano Sala and colleagues clearly define mechanosensing and mechanotransduction, illustrate various mechanosensing mechanisms and discuss methods that cells use to regulate these processes.
JCS-FocalPlane Training Grants
Early-career researchers - working in an area covered by JCS - who would like to attend a microscopy training course, please apply. Deadline dates for 2024 applications: 7 September (decision by week commencing 8 October 2024); 22 November (decision by week commencing 16 December).
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