Mechanical Frustration of Phase Separation in the Cell Nucleus by Chromatin

Publication Year
2021

Type

Journal Article
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation is a fundamental mechanism underlying subcellular organization. Motivated by the striking observation that optogenetically generated droplets in the nucleus display suppressed coarsening dynamics, we study the impact of chromatin mechanics on droplet phase separation. We combine theory and simulation to show that cross-linked chromatin can mechanically suppress droplets' coalescence and ripening, as well as quantitatively control their number, size, and placement. Our results highlight the role of the subcellular mechanical environment on condensate regulation.
Journal
Phys Rev Lett
Volume
126
Pages
258102
Date Published
06/2021
ISBN
0031-9007 (Print)0031-9007
Accession Number
34241518

1079-7114Zhang, YaojunLee, Daniel S WMeir, YigalBrangwynne, Clifford PWingreen, Ned SR01 GM082938/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United StatesR01 GM140032/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United StatesU01 DA040601/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United StatesJournal Article2021/07/10Phys Rev Lett. 2021 Jun 25;126(25):258102. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.258102.