Ultradonut topology of the nuclear envelope. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The nuclear envelope is a unique topological structure formed by lipid membranes in eukaryotic cells. Unlike other membrane structures, the nuclear envelope comprises two concentric membrane shells fused at numerous sites with toroid-shaped pores that impart a "geometric" genus on the order of thousands. Despite the intriguing architecture and vital biological functions of the nuclear membranes, how they achieve and maintain such a unique arrangement remains unknown. Here, we used the theory of elasticity and differential geometry to analyze the equilibrium shape and stability of this structure. Our results show that modest in- and out-of-plane stresses present in the membranes not only can define the pore geometry, but also provide a mechanism for destabilizing membranes beyond a critical size and set the stage for the formation of new pores. Our results suggest a mechanism wherein nanoscale buckling instabilities can define the global topology of a nuclear envelope-like structure.

published proceedings

  • Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

altmetric score

  • 11.25

author list (cited authors)

  • Torbati, M., Lele, T. P., & Agrawal, A.

citation count

  • 15

complete list of authors

  • Torbati, Mehdi||Lele, Tanmay P||Agrawal, Ashutosh

publication date

  • October 2016