Heterochromatome wide analyses reveal MBD2 as a phase separation scaffold for heterochromatin compartmentalization and composition.

ABSTRACT: Heterochromatin is essential for nuclear integrity, genome stability, and gene regulation. However, the mechanisms governing heterochromatin compartmentalization remain poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that phase separation underlies the organization of heterochromatin. Here, we integrated quantitative spatial proteomics, phase separation assays, and phase separation prediction tools to identify and characterize candidate phase separation scaffold proteins involved in heterochromatin compartmentalization. We in vitro reconstituted phase-separated heterochromatin condensates using heterochromatin fractions isolated from mouse brain. Mass spectrometric analysis yielded around 1000 proteins from which 250 were predicted to have scaffold phase separation properties using machine learn

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12715500 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature