The nucleus is the organelle in the cell that contains the genome and its associate proteins which is collectively called chromatin. New work has shown that chromatin and its compaction level, dictated largely through histone modification state, provides rigidity to protect and stabilize the nucleus. Alterations in chromatin, its mechanics, and downstream loss of nuclear shape and stability are hallmarks of human disease. Weakened nuclear mechanics and abnormal morphology have been shown to cause rupturing of the nucleus which results in nuclear dysfunction including DNA damage. Thus, the rigidity provided by chromatin to maintain nuclear mechanical stability also provides its own protection from DNA damage via compartmentalization maintenance.

核是细胞中的细胞器，包含基因组及其相关蛋白，这些蛋白统称为染色质。新的工作表明，染色质及其紧密程度在很大程度上取决于组蛋白的修饰状态，提供了保护和稳定细胞核的刚性。染色质的改变，其机制以及下游核形状和稳定性的丧失是人类疾病的标志。已经显示出弱的核力学和异常的形态会导致核破裂，从而导致核功能障碍，包括DNA损伤。因此，染色质提供的维持核机械稳定性的刚度也通过隔间维持提供了自己的保护，免受DNA损伤。