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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Feb 1.
Published in final edited form as: Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2010 Nov 23;23(1):55–64. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2010.10.015

Table 1. Overview of factors influencing nuclear shape and stiffness.

Factor Effect on nuclear structure and mechanics
Lamins A and C Loss of lamins A/C causes irregular shape and reduced nuclear stiffness, as well as loss of heterochromatin; increased expression can cause nuclear invaginations. [37,39,79,92]
Lamin B1 and B2 Loss of lamin B1 causes nuclear blebs; overexpression can result in nuclear lobulation; lamins B1 and B2 have little or no effect on nuclear stiffness. [39,92,93]
Lamin B receptor (LBR) (Over-)expression of LBR causes nuclear lobulation and formation of excess nuclear envelope. [52,94]
Chromatin configuration Stem cell-like chromatin organization causes increased nuclear plasticity and reduced stiffness; condensed chromatin increased nuclear stiffness. [53,95]