As the home of cellular genetic information, the nucleus has a critical role in determining cell fate and function in response to various signals and stimuli. In addition to biochemical inputs, the nucleus is constantly exposed to intrinsic and extrinsic mechanical forces that trigger dynamic changes in nuclear structure and morphology. Emerging data suggest that the physical deformation of the nucleus modulates many cellular and nuclear functions. These functions have long been considered to be downstream of cytoplasmic signalling pathways and dictated by gene expression. In this Review, we discuss an emerging perspective on the mechanoregulation of the nucleus that considers the physical connections from chromatin to nuclear lamina and cytoskeletal filaments as a single mechanical unit. We describe key mechanisms of nuclear deformations in time and space and provide a critical review of the structural and functional adaptive responses of the nucleus to deformations. We then consider the contribution of nuclear deformations to the regulation of important cellular functions, including muscle contraction, cell migration and human disease pathogenesis. Collectively, these emerging insights shed new light on the dynamics of nuclear deformations and their roles in cellular mechanobiology.

作为细胞遗传信息的家园，细胞核在决定细胞命运和响应各种信号和刺激的功能方面起着至关重要的作用。除了生化输入外，细胞核还不断暴露于引发核结构和形态动态变化的内在和外在机械力。新出现的数据表明，细胞核的物理变形调节许多细胞和核功能。长期以来，这些功能一直被认为是细胞质信号通路的下游，并由基因表达决定。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了一种关于细胞核机械调节的新兴观点，该观点将染色质与核层和细胞骨架丝的物理连接视为一个单一的机械单元。我们描述了核变形在时间和空间上的关键机制，并对核对变形的结构和功能适应性反应进行了批判性回顾。然后我们考虑核变形对调节重要细胞功能的贡献，包括肌肉收缩、细胞迁移和人类疾病发病机制。总的来说，这些新兴的见解为核变形的动力学及其在细胞力学生物学中的作用提供了新的思路。