bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 18, 2023
Abstract
Molecular
mechanisms
that
dictate
chromatin
organization
in
vivo
are
under
active
investigation,
and
the
extent
to
which
intrinsic
interactions
contribute
this
process
remains
debatable.
A
central
quantity
for
evaluating
their
contribution
is
strength
of
nucleosome-nucleosome
binding,
previous
experiments
have
estimated
range
from
2
14
k
B
T
.
We
introduce
an
explicit
ion
model
dramatically
enhance
accuracy
residue-level
coarse-grained
modeling
approaches
across
a
wide
ionic
concentrations.
This
allows
de
novo
predictions
computationally
efficient,
enabling
large-scale
conformational
sampling
free
energy
calculations.
It
reproduces
energetics
protein-DNA
binding
unwinding
single
nucleosomal
DNA,
resolves
differential
impact
mono
divalent
ions
on
conformations.
Moreover,
we
showed
can
reconcile
various
quantifying
interactions,
providing
explanation
large
discrepancy
between
existing
estimations.
predict
interaction
at
physiological
conditions
be
9
,
value
nonetheless
sensitive
DNA
linker
length
presence
histones.
Our
study
strongly
supports
physicochemical
phase
behavior
aggregates
inside
nucleus.
Annual Review of Biophysics,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
53(1), P. 221 - 245
Published: Feb. 12, 2024
Chromatin
organization
plays
a
critical
role
in
cellular
function
by
regulating
access
to
genetic
information.
However,
understanding
chromatin
folding
is
challenging
due
its
complex,
multiscale
nature.
Significant
progress
has
been
made
studying
vitro
systems,
uncovering
the
structure
of
individual
nucleosomes
and
their
arrays,
elucidating
physicochemical
forces
stabilizing
these
structures.
Additionally,
remarkable
advancements
have
achieved
characterizing
vivo,
particularly
at
whole-chromosome
level,
revealing
important
features
such
as
loops,
topologically
associating
domains,
nuclear
compartments.
bridging
gap
between
vivo
studies
remains
challenging.
The
resemblance
conformations
relevance
internucleosomal
interactions
for
are
subjects
debate.
This
article
reviews
experimental
computational
conducted
various
length
scales,
highlighting
significance
intrinsic
roles
vivo.
Nucleus,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: May 16, 2024
Abnormal
cell
nuclear
shapes
are
hallmarks
of
diseases,
including
progeria,
muscular
dystrophy,
and
many
cancers.
Experiments
have
shown
that
disruption
heterochromatin
increases
in
euchromatin
lead
to
deformations,
such
as
blebs
ruptures.
However,
the
physical
mechanisms
through
which
chromatin
governs
shape
poorly
understood.
To
investigate
how
might
govern
morphology,
we
studied
microphase
separation
a
composite
coarse-grained
polymer
elastic
shell
simulation
model.
By
varying
density,
composition,
heterochromatin-lamina
interactions,
show
phase
organization
may
perturb
shape.
Increasing
density
stabilizes
lamina
against
large
fluctuations.
increasing
levels
or
interactions
enhances
fluctuations
by
"wetting"-like
interaction.
In
contrast,
insensitive
heterochromatin's
internal
structure.
Our
simulations
suggest
peripheral
accumulation
could
while
stabilization
likely
occurs
other
than
organization.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
126(30), P. 5619 - 5628
Published: July 20, 2022
The
human
genome
is
arranged
in
the
cell
nucleus
nonrandomly,
and
phase
separation
has
been
proposed
as
an
important
driving
force
for
organization.
However,
active
system,
contribution
of
nonequilibrium
activities
to
structure
dynamics
remains
be
explored.
We
simulated
using
energy
function
parametrized
with
chromosome
conformation
capture
(Hi-C)
data
presence
active,
nondirectional
forces
that
break
detailed
balance.
found
may
arise
from
transcription
chromatin
remodeling
can
dramatically
impact
spatial
localization
heterochromatin.
When
applied
euchromatin,
drive
heterochromatin
nuclear
envelope
compete
passive
interactions
among
tend
pull
them
opposite
directions.
Furthermore,
induce
long-range
correlations
genomic
loci
beyond
single
territories.
further
showed
could
understood
effective
temperature
defined
fluctuation-dissipation
ratio.
Our
study
suggests
significantly
dynamics,
producing
unexpected
collective
phenomena.
Molecular
mechanisms
that
dictate
chromatin
organization
in
vivo
are
under
active
investigation,
and
the
extent
to
which
intrinsic
interactions
contribute
this
process
remains
debatable.
A
central
quantity
for
evaluating
their
contribution
is
strength
of
nucleosome-nucleosome
binding,
previous
experiments
have
estimated
range
from
2
14
k
B
T
.
We
introduce
an
explicit
ion
model
dramatically
enhance
accuracy
residue-level
coarse-grained
modeling
approaches
across
a
wide
ionic
concentrations.
This
allows
de
novo
predictions
computationally
efficient,
enabling
large-scale
conformational
sampling
free
energy
calculations.
It
reproduces
energetics
protein-DNA
binding
unwinding
single
nucleosomal
DNA,
resolves
differential
impact
mono-
divalent
ions
on
conformations.
Moreover,
we
showed
can
reconcile
various
quantifying
interactions,
providing
explanation
large
discrepancy
between
existing
estimations.
predict
interaction
at
physiological
conditions
be
9
,
value
nonetheless
sensitive
DNA
linker
length
presence
histones.
Our
study
strongly
supports
physicochemical
phase
behavior
aggregates
inside
nucleus.
PLoS Computational Biology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
19(9), P. e1011442 - e1011442
Published: Sept. 11, 2023
Biomolecular
condensates
are
important
structures
in
various
cellular
processes
but
challenging
to
study
using
traditional
experimental
techniques.
In
silico
simulations
with
residue-level
coarse-grained
models
strike
a
balance
between
computational
efficiency
and
chemical
accuracy.
They
could
offer
valuable
insights
by
connecting
the
emergent
properties
of
these
complex
systems
molecular
sequences.
However,
existing
often
lack
easy-to-follow
tutorials
implemented
software
that
is
not
optimal
for
condensate
simulations.
To
address
issues,
we
introduce
OpenABC,
package
greatly
simplifies
setup
execution
multiple
force
fields
Python
scripting.
OpenABC
seamlessly
integrates
OpenMM
dynamics
engine,
enabling
efficient
performance
on
single
GPU
rivals
speed
achieved
hundreds
CPUs.
We
also
provide
tools
convert
configurations
all-atom
atomistic
anticipate
will
significantly
facilitate
adoption
broader
community
investigate
structural
dynamical
condensates.
Molecular
mechanisms
that
dictate
chromatin
organization
in
vivo
are
under
active
investigation,
and
the
extent
to
which
intrinsic
interactions
contribute
this
process
remains
debatable.
A
central
quantity
for
evaluating
their
contribution
is
strength
of
nucleosome-nucleosome
binding,
previous
experiments
have
estimated
range
from
2
14
k
B
T
.
We
introduce
an
explicit
ion
model
dramatically
enhance
accuracy
residue-level
coarse-grained
modeling
approaches
across
a
wide
ionic
concentrations.
This
allows
de
novo
predictions
computationally
efficient,
enabling
large-scale
conformational
sampling
free
energy
calculations.
It
reproduces
energetics
protein-DNA
binding
unwinding
single
nucleosomal
DNA,
resolves
differential
impact
mono-
divalent
ions
on
conformations.
Moreover,
we
showed
can
reconcile
various
quantifying
interactions,
providing
explanation
large
discrepancy
between
existing
estimations.
predict
interaction
at
physiological
conditions
be
9
,
value
nonetheless
sensitive
DNA
linker
length
presence
histones.
Our
study
strongly
supports
physicochemical
phase
behavior
aggregates
inside
nucleus.