The Interplay between Phase Separation and Gene-Enhancer Communication: A Theoretical Study.

ABSTRACT: The phase separation occurring in a system of mutually interacting proteins that can bind on specific sites of a chromatin fiber is investigated here. This is achieved by means of extensive molecular dynamics simulations of a simple polymer model that includes regulatory proteins as interacting spherical particles. Our interest is particularly focused on the role played by phase separation in the formation of molecule aggregates that can join distant regulatory elements, such as gene promoters and enhancers, along the DNA. We find that the overall equilibrium state of the system resulting from the mutual interplay between binding molecules and chromatin can lead, under suitable conditions that depend on molecules concentration, molecule-molecule, and molecule-DNA interactions, to the forma

SUBMITTER: Chiariello AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7451901 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature