Title | Mechanical Frustration of Phase Separation in the Cell Nucleus by Chromatin. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2021 |
Authors | Zhang, Y, Lee, DSW, Meir, Y, Brangwynne, CP, Wingreen, NS |
Journal | Phys Rev Lett |
Volume | 126 |
Issue | 25 |
Pagination | 258102 |
Date Published | 2021 Jun 25 |
ISSN | 1079-7114 |
Keywords | Biomechanical Phenomena, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Nucleus, Chromatin, Humans, Models, Chemical, Phase Transition, Surface Properties, Thermodynamics |
Abstract | <p>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.</p> |
DOI | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.258102 |
Alternate Journal | Phys Rev Lett |
PubMed ID | 34241518 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC8604804 |
Grant List | R01 GM082938 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States R01 GM140032 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States T32 HG003284 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States U01 DA040601 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States |