Emerging insights into transcriptional condensates

• Published in: Experimental & molecular medicine Vol. 56; no. 4; pp. 820 - 826
• Main Authors: Ryu, Kwangmin, Park, Gunhee, Cho, Won-Ki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.04.2024; Springer Nature B.V; Nature Publishing Group; 생화학분자생물학회
• Subjects: 14/63; 631/337/2265; 631/337/572/2102; Animals; Artificial intelligence; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Biomolecular Condensates - chemistry; Biomolecular Condensates - metabolism; Condensates; Efficiency; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene regulation; Humans; Medical Biochemistry; Molecular Medicine; Proteins; Review; Review Article; Stem Cells; Transcription, Genetic; 생화학
• ISSN: 2092-6413; 1226-3613; 2092-6413
• DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01228-9

Eukaryotic transcription, a fundamental process that governs cell-specific gene expression, has long been the subject of extensive investigations in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and structural biology. Recent advances in microscopy techniques have led to a fascinating concept known as “transcriptional condensates.” These dynamic assemblies are the result of a phenomenon called liquid‒liquid phase separation, which is driven by multivalent interactions between the constituent proteins in cells. The essential proteins associated with transcription are concentrated in transcriptional condensates. Recent studies have shed light on the temporal dynamics of transcriptional condensates and their potential role in enhancing the efficiency of transcription. In this article, we explore the properties of transcriptional condensates, investigate how they evolve over time, and evaluate the significant impact they have on the process of transcription. Furthermore, we highlight innovative techniques that allow us to manipulate these condensates, thus demonstrating their responsiveness to cellular signals and their connection to transcriptional bursting. As our understanding of transcriptional condensates continues to grow, they are poised to revolutionize our understanding of eukaryotic gene regulation. Dynamic transcriptional condensates: enhancing eukaryotic gene expression efficiency This review delves into the intricate realm of transcriptional regulation, a process that shapes the unique gene expression profiles of different cell types. It focuses on recent advances in elucidating the composition, property and role of transcriptional condensates, which are recently identified liquid-like entities composed of various proteins involved in transcription. Transcriptional condensate is the embodiment of ‘transcription factory’ concept, which contains high concentration of transcriptional proteins and exert control over neighboring genes. Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers found that these condensates dynamically interact with gene promoters to regulate transcription. They can also assemble in response to cellular signals, thus optimizing transcriptional efficiency and specificity. The review concludes that the dynamic relationship between these condensates and gene expression patterns is a promising area for future research and medical advancements. This summary was initially drafted using artificial intelligence, then revised and fact-checked by the author.