Enrichment of Dynamic Chromosomal Crosslinks Drive Phase Separation of the Nucleolus
Abstract
Regions of highly repetitive DNA, such as those found in the nucleolus, show a self-organization that is marked by spatial segregation and frequent self-interaction. The mechanisms that underlie the sequestration of these sub-domains are largely unknown. Using a stochastic, bead-spring representation of chromatin in budding yeast, we find enrichment of protein-mediated, dynamic chromosomal cross-links recapitulates the segregation, morphology and self-interaction of the nucleolus. Rates and enrichment of dynamic crosslinking have profound consequences on domain morphology. Our model demonstrates the nucleolus is phase separated from other chromatin in the nucleus and predicts that multiple rDNA loci will form a single nucleolus independent of their location within the genome. Fluorescent labeling of budding yeast nucleoli with CDC14-GFP revealed that a split rDNA locus indeed forms a single nucleolus. We propose that nuclear subdomains,such as the nucleolus, result from phase separations within the nucleus, which are driven by the enrichment of protein-mediated, dynamic chromosomal crosslinks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 22, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1069028
Entities
People
- Alyssa York
- Caitlin Hult
- David Adalsteinsson
- Diana Cook
- Elaine Yeh
- Josh Lawrimore
- Kerry Bloom
- Maggie Bennett
- Mark G. Forest
- Paula A. Vasquez
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill