Fig. 5. Assessement of the hydrophobicity degree of NPC opening and NPC-free NE surface 5 minutes upon injection of either solvent or TA into X. laevis oocytes. The assessment of hydrophobicity was determined by measurement of the adhesion forces between the AFM tip and the scanned NE area, using a hydrophobic, aluminium coated AFM tip, CSC21 (Ultra-sharp, Mikro Masch, Anfatec, Germany). To obtain an array of force-distance curves, a hydrophobicity map, over the entire NE area being scanned, the so-called force-volume mode is applied. The white spikes in the upper force volume image result from loss of contact between the AFM tip and the sample. Nuclear envelope (NE), nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), triamcinolone acetonide (TA).