The
heterochromatin
protein
1
(HP1)
family
is
a
crucial
component
of
with
diverse
functions
in
gene
regulation,
cell
cycle
control,
and
differentiation.
In
humans,
there
are
three
paralogs,
HP1α,
HP1β,
HP1γ,
which
exhibit
remarkable
similarities
their
domain
architecture
sequence
properties.
Nevertheless,
these
paralogs
display
distinct
behaviors
liquid-liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS),
process
linked
to
formation.
Here,
we
employ
coarse-grained
simulation
framework
uncover
the
features
responsible
for
observed
differences
LLPS.
We
highlight
significance
net
charge
patterning
along
governing
paralog
LLPS
propensities.
also
show
that
both
highly
conserved
folded
less-conserved
disordered
domains
contribute
differences.
Furthermore,
explore
potential
co-localization
different
HP1
multicomponent
assemblies
impact
DNA
on
this
process.
Importantly,
our
study
reveals
can
significantly
reshape
stability
minimal
condensate
formed
by
due
competitive
interactions
HP1α
HP1β
HP1γ
versus
DNA.
conclusion,
work
highlights
physicochemical
nature
govern
phase-separation
provides
molecular
understanding
role
chromatin
organization.
The
heterochromatin
protein
1
(HP1)
family
is
a
crucial
component
of
with
diverse
functions
in
gene
regulation,
cell
cycle
control,
and
differentiation.
In
humans,
there
are
three
paralogs,
HP1α,
HP1β,
HP1γ,
which
exhibit
remarkable
similarities
their
domain
architecture
sequence
properties.
Nevertheless,
these
paralogs
display
distinct
behaviors
liquid-liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS),
process
linked
to
formation.
Here,
we
employ
coarse-grained
simulation
framework
uncover
the
features
responsible
for
observed
differences
LLPS.
We
highlight
significance
net
charge
patterning
along
governing
paralog
LLPS
propensities.
also
show
that
both
highly
conserved
folded
less-conserved
disordered
domains
contribute
differences.
Furthermore,
explore
potential
co-localization
different
HP1
multicomponent
assemblies
impact
DNA
on
this
process.
Importantly,
our
study
reveals
can
significantly
reshape
stability
minimal
condensate
formed
by
due
competitive
interactions
HP1α
HP1β
HP1γ
versus
DNA.
conclusion,
work
highlights
physicochemical
nature
govern
phase-separation
provides
molecular
understanding
role
chromatin
organization.
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
10(1)
Published: Jan. 6, 2025
Cells
orchestrate
their
processes
through
complex
interactions,
precisely
organizing
biomolecules
in
space
and
time.
Recent
discoveries
have
highlighted
the
crucial
role
of
biomolecular
condensates-membrane-less
assemblies
formed
condensation
proteins,
nucleic
acids,
other
molecules-in
driving
efficient
dynamic
cellular
processes.
These
condensates
are
integral
to
various
physiological
functions,
such
as
gene
expression
intracellular
signal
transduction,
enabling
rapid
finely
tuned
responses.
Their
ability
regulate
signaling
pathways
is
particularly
significant,
it
requires
a
careful
balance
between
flexibility
precision.
Disruption
this
can
lead
pathological
conditions,
including
neurodegenerative
diseases,
cancer,
viral
infections.
Consequently,
emerged
promising
therapeutic
targets,
with
potential
offer
novel
approaches
disease
treatment.
In
review,
we
present
recent
insights
into
regulatory
mechanisms
by
which
influence
pathways,
roles
health
disease,
strategies
for
modulating
condensate
dynamics
approach.
Understanding
these
emerging
principles
may
provide
valuable
directions
developing
effective
treatments
targeting
aberrant
behavior
diseases.
Nucleic Acids Research,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
50(22), P. 12702 - 12722
Published: Dec. 9, 2022
Abstract
Heterochromatin
protein
1α
(HP1α)
is
a
crucial
element
of
chromatin
organization.
It
has
been
proposed
that
HP1α
functions
through
liquid-liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS),
which
allows
it
to
compact
into
transcriptionally
repressed
heterochromatin
regions.
In
vitro,
can
undergo
upon
phosphorylation
its
N-terminus
extension
(NTE)
and/or
interactions
with
DNA
and
chromatin.
Here,
we
combine
computational
experimental
approaches
elucidate
the
molecular
drive
these
processes.
phosphorylation-driven
LLPS,
exchange
intradimer
hinge-NTE
interdimer
contacts,
also
leads
structural
change
from
compacted
an
extended
dimer
conformation.
This
process
be
enhanced
by
presence
positively
charged
peptide
ligands
disrupted
addition
negatively
or
neutral
peptides.
DNA-driven
both
perturb
separation.
Our
findings
demonstrate
importance
electrostatic
in
LLPS
where
binding
partners
modulate
overall
charge
droplets
screen
enhance
hinge
region
specific
non-specific
effects.
study
illuminates
complex
framework
fine-tune
properties
contribute
regulation
function.
Macromolecules,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
55(20), P. 8987 - 8997
Published: Oct. 12, 2022
The
stability
and
physiological
function
of
many
biomolecular
coacervates
depend
on
the
structure
dynamics
intrinsically
disordered
proteins
(IDPs)
that
typically
contain
a
significant
fraction
charged
residues.
Although
effect
relative
arrangement
residues
IDP
conformation
is
well-studied
problem,
associated
changes
in
are
far
less
understood.
In
this
work,
we
systematically
interrogate
effects
charge
distribution
chain-level
segmental
polyampholytic
IDPs
dilute
solutions.
We
study
coarse-grained
model
polyampholyte
consisting
an
equal
two
oppositely
(glutamic
acid
lysine)
undergoes
transition
from
ideal
chain-like
for
uniformly
charge-patterned
sequences
to
semi-compact
highly
charge-segregated
sequences.
Changes
with
increasing
segregation
correlate
conformation.
conform
simple
homopolymer
models
but
deviate
segregation,
both
presence
absence
hydrodynamic
interactions.
discuss
significance
these
findings,
obtained
polyampholyte,
context
charge-rich
region
naturally
occurring
protein
LAF-1.
Our
findings
have
important
implications
understanding
patterning
conditions
using
polymer
scaling
theories.
Protein Science,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
33(2)
Published: Dec. 31, 2023
TAR
DNA-binding
protein
43
(TDP-43)
is
a
multidomain
involved
in
the
regulation
of
RNA
metabolism,
and
its
aggregates
have
been
observed
neurodegenerative
diseases,
including
amyotrophic
lateral
sclerosis
(ALS)
frontotemporal
dementia
(FTD).
Numerous
studies
indicate
TDP-43
can
undergo
liquid-liquid
phase
separation
(LLPS)
vitro
component
biological
condensates.
Homo-oligomerization
via
folded
N-terminal
domain
(aa:1-77)
conserved
helical
region
(aa:319-341)
disordered,
C-terminal
found
to
be
an
important
driver
separation.
However,
comprehensive
molecular
view
separation,
particularly
regarding
nature
heterodomain
interactions,
lacking
due
challenges
associated
with
stability
purification.
Here,
we
utilize
all-atom
coarse-grained
(CG)
dynamics
(MD)
simulations
uncover
network
interdomain
interactions
implicated
All-atom
uncovered
presence
transient,
involving
flexible
linkers,
RNA-recognition
motif
(RRM)
domains
charged
segment
disordered
(CTD).
CG
these
inter-domain
which
affect
conformational
landscape
dilute
are
also
prevalent
condensed
phase.
Finally,
sequence
surface
charge
distribution
analysis
coupled
(at
high
salt)
confirmed
that
transient
contacts
predominantly
electrostatic
nature.
Overall,
our
findings
from
multiscale
lead
greater
appreciation
complex
interaction
underlying
structural
TDP-43.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: Dec. 2, 2023
Abstract
Membraneless
liquid
compartments
based
on
phase-separating
biopolymers
have
been
observed
in
diverse
cell
types
and
attributed
to
weak
multivalent
interactions
predominantly
intrinsically
disordered
domains.
The
design
of
liquid-liquid
phase
separated
(LLPS)
condensates
de
novo
designed
tunable
modules
that
interact
a
well-understood,
controllable
manner
could
improve
our
understanding
this
phenomenon
enable
the
introduction
new
features.
Here
we
report
construction
CC-LLPS
mammalian
cells,
coiled-coil
(CC)
dimer-forming
modules,
where
stability
CC
pairs,
their
number,
linkers,
sequential
arrangement
govern
transition
between
diffuse,
immobile
are
corroborated
by
coarse-grained
molecular
simulations.
Through
modular
design,
achieve
multiple
coexisting
condensates,
chemical
regulation
LLPS,
condensate
fusion,
formation
from
either
one
or
two
polypeptide
components
LLPS
third
chain.
These
findings
provide
further
insights
into
principles
underlying
platform
for
controlling
biological
processes.