Publications

Mechanotransduction mediated by the tension in lipid membranes is a well-established paradigm. This has been studied largely in the context of the plasma membrane, but recent work shows that it applies also to endomembranes, and specifically to the nuclear envelope. Here, we review membrane tension-mediated mechanotransduction at the nuclear envelope by focusing on its two best characterized modes of action: the cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) pathway, and nuclear pore dilation. We discuss the mechanisms involved and their physiological implications. Finally, we discuss how nuclear envelope tension can be controlled and measured, and how its properties enable mechanosensing with different context-dependency than that of the plasma membrane. These properties apply to cPLA2 and nuclear pore complexes but potentially also to many other mechanosensors yet to be discovered.

JTD Keywords: Arachidonic-acid release, Bone-formation, C2 domain, Cytosolic phospholipase a(2), Cytosolic phospholipase a2, Force, Lipid-binding domain, Mechanobiology, Membrane, Membrane tension, Monolayer surface pressure, Nuclear deformation, Nuclear envelope, Nuclear pore complex, Nuclear transport, Nucleus, Packing, Pore complex, Tension, Yap

A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids ( to 3 FAs) in the brain has been correlated with cognitive impairment, learning deficiencies, and behavioral changes. In this study, we provided to 3 FAs as a supplement to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR+ to 3). Our focus was on examining the impact of dietary supplementation on the physicochemical properties of the brain-cell membranes. Significant increases in to 3 levels in the cerebral cortex of SHR+ to 3 were observed, leading to alterations in brain lipid membranes molecular packing, elasticity, and lipid miscibility, resulting in an augmented phase disparity. Results from synthetic lipid mixtures confirmed the disordering effect introduced by to 3 lipids, showing its consequences on the hydration levels of the monolayers and the organization of the membrane domains. These findings suggest that dietary to 3 FAs influence the organization of brain membranes, providing insight into a potential mechanism for the broad effects of dietary fat on brain health and disease.

JTD Keywords: Behavio, Bilayers, Docosahexaenoic acid, Metabolism, Molecular packing, Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Polyunsaturated fatty-acids, Raft, Spectroscopy, Sphingomyelin