Reentrant DNA shells tune polyphosphate condensate size.

ABSTRACT: The inorganic biopolymer polyphosphate (polyP) occurs in all domains of life and affects myriad cellular processes. A longstanding observation is polyP's frequent proximity to chromatin, and, in many bacteria, its occurrence as magnesium (Mg²⁺)-enriched condensates embedded in the nucleoid region, particularly in response to stress. The physical basis of the interaction between polyP, DNA and Mg²⁺, and the resulting effects on the organization of the nucleoid and polyP condensates, remain poorly understood. Here, using a minimal system of polyP, Mg²⁺, and DNA, we find that DNA can form shells around polyP-Mg²⁺ condensates. These shells show reentrant behavior, that is, they form within a window of Mg²⁺ concentrations, representing a tu

SUBMITTER: Chawla R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11513989 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature