Compositional adaptability in NPM1-SURF6 scaffolding networks enabled by dynamic switching of phase separation mechanisms

Nat Commun. 2018 Nov 29;9(1):5064. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07530-1.

Abstract

The nucleolus, the site for ribosome biogenesis contains hundreds of proteins and several types of RNA. The functions of many non-ribosomal nucleolar proteins are poorly understood, including Surfeit locus protein 6 (SURF6), an essential disordered protein with roles in ribosome biogenesis and cell proliferation. SURF6 co-localizes with Nucleophosmin (NPM1), a highly abundant protein that mediates the liquid-like features of the granular component region of the nucleolus through phase separation. Here, we show that electrostatically-driven interactions between disordered regions of NPM1 and SURF6 drive liquid-liquid phase separation. We demonstrate that co-existing heterotypic (NPM1-SURF6) and homotypic (NPM1-NPM1) scaffolding interactions within NPM1-SURF6 liquid-phase droplets dynamically and seamlessly interconvert in response to variations in molecular crowding and protein concentrations. We propose a mechanism wherein NPM1-dependent nucleolar scaffolds are modulated by non-ribosomal proteins through active rearrangements of interaction networks that can possibly contribute to the directionality of ribosomal biogenesis within the liquid-like nucleolus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleolus / metabolism
  • Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nucleophosmin
  • Organelle Biogenesis
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Ribosomal / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / metabolism*

Substances

  • NPM1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • SURF6 protein, human
  • Nucleophosmin