Acute chromatin decompaction stiffens the nucleus as revealed by nanopillar-induced nuclear deformation in cells

Abstract

Chromatin architecture is critical in determining nuclear mechanics. Most studies focus on the mechanical rigidity conferred by chromatin compaction from densely packed heterochromatin, but less is known on how transient changes in chromatin decompaction state impinge on nucleus stiffness. Here, we used an array of vertically aligned nanopillars to study nuclear deformability in situ after chromatin decompaction in cells. The nucleus significantly stiffened within 4 hours of chromatin decompaction but softened at longer timescales. This acute nucleus stiffening was predominantly underlied by an increase in nucleus volume, nuclear import and partially enhanced by lamin protein recruitment to the nuclear periphery. The coupling between nucleus stiffening and acute chromatin decompaction was observed in cancer cell lines with lower malignancy (e.g. MCF7, PEO1, A549) but weakened in those with higher metastatic potential (e.g. MDA-MB-231, HEYA8, HT1080), which was found to be associated with the capacity to efficiently compact heterochromatin into foci that sustains nucleus deformability required for confined migration. Our work signals how a rapid chromatin remodeling is a physiologically relevant pathway to modulate nucleus mechanics and cell migration behavior. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEMany cell processes such as wound healing, immune activation and DNA damage repair require a decompact and accessible chromatin structure. Whether such short-term remodeling of the chromatin impacts nucleus mechanics and function is poorly defined. Using nanopillars that allow interrogation of nucleus rigidity within intact cells, we showed that contrary to conventional knowledge the nucleus becomes less deformable and more rigid when chromatin is acutely decompacted due to enhanced nuclear import and swelling of the nucleus. In cancer cells, the coupling of transient chromatin decompaction to nucleus rigidity is weakened and appears to be countered by heterochromatin formation and compaction. We demonstrate here how short-term chromatin remodeling can impact nucleus and cellular properties in a time-dependent and non-genetic manner.