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Hansen E, Rolling C, Wang M, Holaska JM. Emerin deficiency drives MCF7 cells to an invasive phenotype. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.21.581379. [PMID: 38712242 PMCID: PMC11071294 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.21.581379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
During metastasis, cancer cells traverse the vasculature by squeezing through very small gaps in the endothelium. Thus, nuclei in metastatic cancer cells must become more malleable to move through these gaps. Our lab showed invasive breast cancer cells have 50% less emerin protein resulting in smaller, misshapen nuclei, and higher metastasis rates than non-cancerous controls. Thus, emerin deficiency was predicted to cause increased nuclear compliance, cell migration, and metastasis. We tested this hypothesis by downregulating emerin in noninvasive MCF7 cells and found emerin knockdown causes smaller, dysmorphic nuclei, resulting in increased impeded cell migration. Emerin reduction in invasive breast cancer cells showed similar results. Supporting the clinical relevance of emerin reduction in cancer progression, our analysis of 192 breast cancer patient samples showed emerin expression inversely correlates with cancer invasiveness. We conclude emerin loss is an important driver of invasive transformation and has utility as a biomarker for tumor progression.
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2
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Caruso AP, Logue JS. The biophysics of cell motility through mechanochemically challenging environments. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 90:102404. [PMID: 39053178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Challenging mechanochemical environments (i.e., with varied mechanical and adhesive properties) are now known to induce a wide range of adaptive phenomena in motile cells. For instance, confinement and low adhesion may trigger a phenotypic transition to fast amoeboid (leader bleb-based) migration. The molecular mechanisms that underly these phenomena are beginning to be understood. Due to its size, the mechanical properties of the nucleus have been shown to limit and facilitate cell migration. Additionally, the activity of various transient receptor potential (TRP) channels is now known to be integral to cell migration in response to a multitude of biophysical stimuli. How cells integrate signals from the nucleus and plasma membrane, however, is unclear. The development of therapeutics that suppress cancer or enhance immune cell migration for immuno-oncology applications, etc., will require additional work to completely understand the molecular mechanisms that enable cells to navigate mechanochemically challenging environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa P Caruso
- Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Jeremy S Logue
- Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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Akinpelu A, Akinsipe T, Avila LA, Arnold RD, Mistriotis P. The impact of tumor microenvironment: unraveling the role of physical cues in breast cancer progression. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:823-844. [PMID: 38238542 PMCID: PMC11156564 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10166-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis accounts for the vast majority of breast cancer-related fatalities. Although the contribution of genetic and epigenetic modifications to breast cancer progression has been widely acknowledged, emerging evidence underscores the pivotal role of physical stimuli in driving breast cancer metastasis. In this review, we summarize the changes in the mechanics of the breast cancer microenvironment and describe the various forces that impact migrating and circulating tumor cells throughout the metastatic process. We also discuss the mechanosensing and mechanotransducing molecules responsible for promoting the malignant phenotype in breast cancer cells. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the mechanobiology of breast cancer carries substantial potential to propel progress in prognosis, diagnosis, and patient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayuba Akinpelu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Tosin Akinsipe
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - L Adriana Avila
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Robert D Arnold
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Panagiotis Mistriotis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
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4
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Kar N, Caruso AP, Prokopiou N, Logue JS. The activation of INF2 by Piezo1/Ca 2+ is required for mesenchymal to amoeboid transition in confined environments. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.23.546346. [PMID: 37745412 PMCID: PMC10515767 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.23.546346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
To invade heterogenous tissues, transformed cells may undergo a mesenchymal to amoeboid transition (MAT). However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this transition are poorly defined. In invasive melanoma cells, we demonstrate that intracellular [Ca2+] increases with the degree of confinement in a Piezo1 dependent fashion. Moreover, Piezo1/Ca2+ is found to drive amoeboid and not mesenchymal migration in confined environments. Consistent with a model in which Piezo1 senses tension at the plasma membrane, the percentage of cells using amoeboid migration is further increased in undulating microchannels. Surprisingly, amoeboid migration was not promoted by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), which is sensitive to intracellular [Ca2+]. Instead, we report that Piezo1/Ca2+ activates inverted formin-2 (INF2) to induce widespread actin cytoskeletal remodeling. Strikingly, the activation of INF2 is found to promote de-adhesion, which in turn facilitates MAT. Using micropatterned surfaces, we demonstrate that cells require INF2 to effectively migrate in environments with challenging mechanochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelakshi Kar
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Alexa P. Caruso
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Nicos Prokopiou
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
| | - Jeremy S. Logue
- Department of Regenerative and Cancer Cell Biology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
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Mistriotis P, Wisniewski EO, Si BR, Kalab P, Konstantopoulos K. Coordinated in confined migration: crosstalk between the nucleus and ion channel-mediated mechanosensation. Trends Cell Biol 2024:S0962-8924(24)00001-1. [PMID: 38290913 PMCID: PMC11284253 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Cell surface and intracellular mechanosensors enable cells to perceive different geometric, topographical, and physical cues. Mechanosensitive ion channels (MICs) localized at the cell surface and on the nuclear envelope (NE) are among the first to sense and transduce these signals. Beyond compartmentalizing the genome of the cell and its transcription, the nucleus also serves as a mechanical gauge of different physical and topographical features of the tissue microenvironment. In this review, we delve into the intricate mechanisms by which the nucleus and different ion channels regulate cell migration in confinement. We review evidence suggesting an interplay between macromolecular nuclear-cytoplasmic transport (NCT) and ionic transport across the cell membrane during confined migration. We also discuss the roles of the nucleus and ion channel-mediated mechanosensation, whether acting independently or in tandem, in orchestrating migratory mechanoresponses. Understanding nuclear and ion channel sensing, and their crosstalk, is critical to advancing our knowledge of cell migration in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily O Wisniewski
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Bishwa R Si
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Petr Kalab
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - Konstantinos Konstantopoulos
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Jin Q, Pandey D, Thompson CB, Lewis S, Sung HW, Nguyen TD, Kuo S, Wilson KL, Gracias DH, Romer LH. Acute downregulation of emerin alters actomyosin cytoskeleton connectivity and function. Biophys J 2023; 122:3690-3703. [PMID: 37254483 PMCID: PMC10541481 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal lung fibroblasts contribute dynamic infrastructure for the developing lung. These cells undergo dynamic mechanical transitions, including cyclic stretch and spreading, which are integral to lung growth in utero. We investigated the role of the nuclear envelope protein emerin in cellular responses to these dynamic mechanical transitions. In contrast to control cells, which briskly realigned their nuclei, actin cytoskeleton, and extracellular matrices in response to cyclic stretch, fibroblasts that were acutely downregulated for emerin showed incomplete reorientation of both nuclei and actin cytoskeleton. Emerin-downregulated fibroblasts were also aberrantly circular in contrast to the spindle-shaped controls and exhibited an altered pattern of filamentous actin organization that was disconnected from the nucleus. Emerin knockdown was also associated with reduced myosin light chain phosphorylation during cell spreading. Interestingly, emerin-downregulated fibroblasts also demonstrated reduced fibronectin fibrillogenesis and production. These findings indicate that nuclear-cytoskeletal coupling serves a role in the dynamic regulation of cytoskeletal structure and function and may also impact the transmission of traction force to the extracellular matrix microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Jin
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Deepesh Pandey
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Carol B Thompson
- Biostatistics Center, Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shawna Lewis
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hyun Woo Sung
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Thao D Nguyen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Scot Kuo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Microscope Facility, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Katherine L Wilson
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David H Gracias
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Center for MicroPhysiological Systems, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lewis H Romer
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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7
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Hansen E, Holaska JM. The nuclear envelope and metastasis. Oncotarget 2023; 14:317-320. [PMID: 37057891 PMCID: PMC10103595 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - James M. Holaska
- Correspondence to:James M. Holaska, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Rowan University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA email
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Stark M, Levin M, Ulitsky I, Assaraf YG. Folylpolyglutamate synthetase mRNA G-quadruplexes regulate its cell protrusion localization and enhance a cancer cell invasive phenotype upon folate repletion. BMC Biol 2023; 21:13. [PMID: 36721160 PMCID: PMC9889130 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01525-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Folates are crucial for the biosynthesis of nucleotides and amino acids, essential for cell proliferation and development. Folate deficiency induces DNA damage, developmental defects, and tumorigenicity. The obligatory enzyme folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) mediates intracellular folate retention via cytosolic and mitochondrial folate polyglutamylation. Our previous paper demonstrated the association of the cytosolic FPGS (cFPGS) with the cytoskeleton and various cell protrusion proteins. Based on these recent findings, the aim of the current study was to investigate the potential role of cFPGS at cell protrusions. RESULTS Here we uncovered a central role for two G-quadruplex (GQ) motifs in the 3'UTR of FPGS mediating the localization of cFPGS mRNA and protein at cell protrusions. Using the MBSV6-loop reporter system and fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate that following folate deprivation, cFPGS mRNA is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas upon 15 min of folate repletion, this mRNA is rapidly translocated to cell protrusions in a 3'UTR- and actin-dependent manner. The actin dependency of this folate-induced mRNA translocation is shown by treatment with Latrunculin B and inhibitors of the Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) pathway. Upon folate repletion, the FPGS 3'UTR GQs induce an amoeboid/mesenchymal hybrid cell phenotype during migration and invasion through a collagen gel matrix. Targeted disruption of the 3'UTR GQ motifs by introducing point mutations or masking them by antisense oligonucleotides abrogated cell protrusion targeting of cFPGS mRNA. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the GQ motifs within the 3'UTR of FPGS regulate its transcript and protein localization at cell protrusions in response to a folate cue, inducing cancer cell invasive phenotype. These novel findings suggest that the 3'UTR GQ motifs of FPGS constitute an attractive druggable target aimed at inhibition of cancer invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Stark
- grid.6451.60000000121102151The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | - May Levin
- grid.6451.60000000121102151The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel ,grid.507132.2Present address: May Levin, MeMed Diagnostics Ltd, Tirat Carmel, Israel
| | - Igor Ulitsky
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology and Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yehuda G. Assaraf
- grid.6451.60000000121102151The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
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Gridina M, Fishman V. Multilevel view on chromatin architecture alterations in cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:1059617. [PMID: 36468037 PMCID: PMC9715599 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1059617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomes inside the nucleus are not located in the form of linear molecules. Instead, there is a complex multilevel genome folding that includes nucleosomes packaging, formation of chromatin loops, domains, compartments, and finally, chromosomal territories. Proper spatial organization play an essential role for the correct functioning of the genome, and is therefore dynamically changed during development or disease. Here we discuss how the organization of the cancer cell genome differs from the healthy genome at various levels. A better understanding of how malignization affects genome organization and long-range gene regulation will help to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gridina
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Alexandrova A, Lomakina M. How does plasticity of migration help tumor cells to avoid treatment: Cytoskeletal regulators and potential markers. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:962652. [PMID: 36278174 PMCID: PMC9582651 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.962652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor shrinkage as a result of antitumor therapy is not the only and sufficient indicator of treatment success. Cancer progression leads to dissemination of tumor cells and formation of metastases - secondary tumor lesions in distant organs. Metastasis is associated with acquisition of mobile phenotype by tumor cells as a result of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and further cell migration based on cytoskeleton reorganization. The main mechanisms of individual cell migration are either mesenchymal, which depends on the activity of small GTPase Rac, actin polymerization, formation of adhesions with extracellular matrix and activity of proteolytic enzymes or amoeboid, which is based on the increase in intracellular pressure caused by the enhancement of actin cortex contractility regulated by Rho-ROCK-MLCKII pathway, and does not depend on the formation of adhesive structures with the matrix, nor on the activity of proteases. The ability of tumor cells to switch from one motility mode to another depending on cell context and environmental conditions, termed migratory plasticity, contributes to the efficiency of dissemination and often allows the cells to avoid the applied treatment. The search for new therapeutic targets among cytoskeletal proteins offers an opportunity to directly influence cell migration. For successful treatment it is important to assess the likelihood of migratory plasticity in a particular tumor. Therefore, the search for specific markers that can indicate a high probability of migratory plasticity is very important.
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Wang M, Ivanovska I, Vashisth M, Discher DE. Nuclear mechanoprotection: From tissue atlases as blueprints to distinctive regulation of nuclear lamins. APL Bioeng 2022; 6:021504. [PMID: 35719698 PMCID: PMC9203124 DOI: 10.1063/5.0080392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Two meters of DNA in each of our cells must be protected against many types of damage. Mechanoprotection is increasingly understood to be conferred by the nuclear lamina of intermediate filament proteins, but very different patterns of expression and regulation between different cells and tissues remain a challenge to comprehend and translate into applications. We begin with a tutorial style presentation of "tissue blueprints" of lamin expression including single-cell RNA sequencing in major public datasets. Lamin-A, C profiles appear strikingly similar to those for the mechanosensitive factors Vinculin, Yap1, and Piezo1, whereas datasets for lamin-B1 align with and predict regulation by the cell cycle transcription factor, FOXM1, and further predict poor survival across multiple cancers. Various experiments support the distinction between the lamin types and add mechanistic insight into the mechano-regulation of lamin-A, C by both matrix elasticity and externally imposed tissue strain. Both A- and B-type lamins, nonetheless, protect the nucleus from rupture and damage. Ultimately, for mechanically active tissue constructs and organoids as well as cell therapies, lamin levels require particular attention as they help minimize nuclear damage and defects in a cell cycle.
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