Phase separation in transcription factor dynamics and chromatin organization

Kaustubh Wagh; David A Garcia; Arpita Upadhyaya

doi:10.1016/j.sbi.2021.06.009

Phase separation in transcription factor dynamics and chromatin organization

Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2021 Dec:71:148-155. doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.06.009. Epub 2021 Jul 22.

Authors

Kaustubh Wagh¹, David A Garcia¹, Arpita Upadhyaya²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA; Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
² Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA; Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA. Electronic address: arpitau@umd.edu.

Abstract

Studies over the past decade have highlighted the key role of liquid-liquid phase separation in cellular organization and function. Dynamic compartmentalization of transcription factors and coactivators by such phase-separated condensates regulates the assembly of transcriptional machinery at genomic loci. Although rapid advances in microscopy have demonstrated the ubiquity of such condensates, a rigorous characterization of the physics of phase separation in transcription remains to be carried out. In this review, we discuss theoretical and experimental evidence for biomolecular condensates as dynamic regulators of transcription. Looking beyond, we highlight functional consequences for transcription factor dynamics and gene expression and discuss potential pitfalls of misclassifying biomolecular condensates as liquid droplets in the absence of a rigorous physical description.

Keywords: Biomolecular condensates; Chromatin organization; Genome organization; Phase separation; Super-enhancer; Transcription factors.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Biomolecular Condensates*
Chromatin
Gene Expression
Gene Expression Regulation
Transcription Factors*

Substances

Chromatin
Transcription Factors

Grants and funding

R01 GM131054/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States