How KLF4 affects gene expression

A team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has discovered a mechanism through which the transcription factor KLF4 can help tissue chromatin and thus affect gene expression

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, shows that the binding of KLF4 can cause DNA to condense into a single liquid phase in a process called biomolecular condensation, which absorbs other effects.

"Cells regulate the expression of their genes through a protein called a transcription factor," said co-corresponding author Josephine C.

The genetic information of a cell is wrapped in chromatin, which is a complex, compact, and dense structure composed of DNA and protein

Through experiments on cells cultured in the laboratory, the researchers found that KLF4 forms droplets in the nucleus and absorbs other transcription factors

Phelan said: "Imagine how oil and water form separate layers or two liquid phases when they are mixed

Other transcription factors participate in the aggregation of biomolecules through non-structural protein regions, but researchers have shown that even if the non-structural regions of KLF4 are not present, KLF4 droplets will form in cells

"This kind of condensation of biomolecules involving zinc fingers and DNA has never been seen before," Phelan said

"The formation of this biomolecular condensate is strongly enhanced by the DNA modification called CpG methylation, and this change affects gene expression," said co-corresponding author Kevin Mackenzie, Ph.

MacKenzie said: "Hundreds of human transcription factors contain tandem zinc fingers similar to those in KLF4, so these rapidly evolving proteins may be related to chromatin organization through similar'bridging' interactions

DOI

10.

Liquid condensation of reprogramming factor KLF4 with DNA provides a mechanism for chromatin organization