Histone H3 tail charge patterns govern nucleosome condensate formation and dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Emerging models of nuclear organization suggest that chromatin forms functionally distinct microenvironments through phase separation. As chromatin architecture is organized at the level of the nucleosome and regulated by histone post-translational modifications, we investigated how these known regulatory mechanisms influence nucleosome phase behavior. By systematically altering charge distribution within the H3 tail, we found that the terminal and central regions modulate the phase boundary and tune nucleosome condensate viscosity differentially, as revealed by microscopy-based assays, microrheology, and simulations. Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation experiments revealed that H3 tails remain dynamically mobile within condensates, and their mobility correlates with condensate viscosity

SUBMITTER: Hammonds EF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12884084 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature