Regulation of diverse nuclear shapes: pathways working independently, together

ABSTRACT

Membrane-bound organelles provide physical and functional compartmentalization of biological processes in eukaryotic cells. The characteristic shape and internal organization of these organelles is determined by a combination of multiple internal and external factors. The maintenance of the shape of nucleus, which houses the genetic material within a double membrane bilayer, is crucial for a seamless spatio-temporal control over nuclear and cellular functions. Dynamic morphological changes in the shape of nucleus facilitate various biological processes. Chromatin packaging, nuclear and cytosolic protein organization, and nuclear membrane lipid homeostasis are critical determinants of overall nuclear morphology. As such, a multitude of molecular players and pathways act together to regulate the nuclear shape. Here, we review the known mechanisms governing nuclear shape in various unicellular and multicellular organisms, including the non-spherical nuclei and non-lamin-related structural determinants. The review also touches upon cellular consequences of aberrant nuclear morphologies.

KEYWORDS:

• Nucleus
• nuclear shape
• nuclear envelope
• morphology
• nuclear pore complex
• lamins
• nuclear organization

Acknowledgments

Work in the Mishra laboratory is supported by the Department of Biotechnology (BT/PR15450/COE/34/46/2016), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR; 37(1725)/19-EMRII), University Grants Commission- DRS and DST-FIST, Government of India. PD is funded by CSIR-SRF. The authors thank Imlitoshi Jamir for data presented in Figure 2 and V. Jonnalagadda for critical reading of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research [37(1725)/19-EMRII]; Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India [BT/PR15450/COE/34/46/2016].