Migrating cells have to cross many physical barriers and confined in 3D environments. The surrounding environment promotes mechano- and biological signals that orchestrate cellular changes, such as cytoskeletal and adhesion rearrangements and proteolytic digestion. Recent studies provide new insights into how the nucleus must alter its shape, localization and mechanical properties in order to promote nuclear deformability, chromatin compaction and gene reprogramming. It is known that the chromatin structure contributes directly to genomic and non-genomic functions, such as gene transcription and the physical properties of the nucleus. Here, we appraise paradigms and novel insights regarding the functional role of chromatin during nuclear deformation. In so doing, we review how constraint and mechanical conditions influence the structure, localization and chromatin decompaction. Finally, we highlight the emerging roles of mechanogenomics and the molecular basis of nucleoskeletal components, which open unexplored territory to understand how cells regulate their chromatin and modify the nucleus.
Keywords: Epigenetics; cell migration; chromatin; mechanogenomics; nuclear mechanics.