Simulating the chromatin-mediated phase separation of model proteins with multiple domains.

ABSTRACT: We perform simulations of a system containing simple model proteins and a polymer representing chromatin. We study the interplay between protein-protein and protein-chromatin interactions, and the resulting condensates that arise due to liquid-liquid phase separation, or a via a "bridging-induced attraction" mechanism. For proteins that interact multivalently, we obtain a phase diagram which includes liquid-like droplets, droplets with absorbed polymer, and coated polymer regimes. Of particular interest is a regime where protein droplets only form due to interaction with the polymer; here, unlike a standard phase separating system, droplet density rather than size varies with the overall protein concentration. We also observe that protein dynamics within droplets slow down as chromatin is

SUBMITTER: Ancona M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9300671 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature