Mechanical Frustration of Phase Separation in the Cell Nucleus by Chromatin

Yaojun Zhang, Daniel S.W. Lee, Yigal Meir, Clifford P. Brangwynne, Ned S. Wingreen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number258102
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume126
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 25 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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